A $23,900 grant from the G.H. Davis Trusts for Charities, Bank of America Trustee is allowing Metro Lutheran Ministry to substantially upgrade its computer technology in order to improve MLM’s service capacity and better collaborate with other homeless service agencies.

The grant provides for replacement of MLM’s outdated equipment that includes a wide variety of hardware and software that is not always compatible. The computers could not be effectively networked and even if they could, much of the data is incompatible because there are 10 different types of computers, four different operating systems and 11 different printing devices!

An equally serious problem is that MLM’s outdated workstations rule out access to the Mid America Assistance Coalition Web-based software that would allow MLM to join other agencies to track clients, maintain statistics, project future needs and measure the effectiveness of emergency assistant programs. This is important to avoid duplication of service and to better coordinate the care between helping agencies.

The grant will provide for 16 new computer workstations, one server, two network printers and the technical assistance and staff training to ensure maximum utilization and efficiency of the new equipment. The equipment is expected to be operational in December.