Pennsylvania: FIGHT to Benefit From Stimulus Funds, More Computers

Several local nonprofits, including AIDS service organization Philadelphia FIGHT, are ramping up the city's computer connectivity with $6.4 million in federal stimulus funds. FIGHT's share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money is $1.4 million spread over two years.

The funding will enhance computer facilities and increase staff in three FIGHT projects: its AIDS library, the Institute for Community Justice, and the Youth Help Empowerment Project. When installation is complete, FIGHT will have 10 computers at the library, six at the ICJ, and seven at Y-HEP. It now has seven computers in its library and two at Y-HEP.

Staff will be increased at each of these venues with a total addition of three full-time and three part-time employees.

The stimulus money also will allow FIGHT to initiate or expand computer services at two dozen shelters or other facilities where it provides HIV counseling and testing.

FIGHT has a long history of providing computer access to the HIV community, dating to its Critical Path AIDS Project. That effort provides free Internet access and other Web services to persons with HIV and organizations with HIV-related missions.

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