A computer support service program for small to medium sized businesses is enhancing the sustainability of community minded initiatives in Victoria’s City of Yarra. Yarra Assist was set up through the eACE (Electronic Atherton Community Enterprise) project, a project of Infoxchange.
Infoxchange is a not for profit organisation focusing on social justice and community development by using information technology as the primary tool.
Originally known as ‘Reach for the Clouds’, eACE was initiated in November 2001 and over three years has bridged the digital divide by providing more than 800 households from the Atherton Gardens community with access to Green PCs, new skills and employment opportunities.
Atherton Gardens is a high rise public housing estate in inner Melbourne. To ensure the sustainability of these initiatives as funding for the project was coming to an end, Infoxchange launched Yarra Assist services.
Yarra Assist will provide a sustainable source of revenue for the eACE project and future community development initiatives by providing quality, reliable and affordable computer support in the City of Yarra. It also offers Internet access, voice services and hardware provisioning at affordable prices. All profits will be reinvested back into the community to create employment and learning opportunities.
Services are provided by trained staff with a broad range of skills. Training provided to residents through the eACE project has given them skills and knowledge to staff and manage the Yarra Assist program. City of Yarra Director of Community Services, Craig Kenny, said the program was extremely beneficial for the local community.
“The eACE project has provided significant social and economic benefits to this disadvantaged local community and Yarra Assist will ensure its future sustainability,” he said. “Yarra Assist was engaged by Yarra City Council at the beginning of November to assist in the roll out of a new standard operating system and install new hardware devices.”
For further information contact Craig Kenny on (03) 9205 5555.
