Summary of Work and Request for Meeting
Dear Rev. Smith:
This semester, through a class taught by Martin Wolske, I have been working with five classmates to design and install a new computer lab for the residents at the Second Chance Shelter. During a visit on November 14 and 15, three of us brought in new equipment and set up six workstations in the basement conference room. We also conducted a brief training session with Sharon Jackson, another shelter staff member, and two volunteers. We were not, however able to get the computers connected to the Internet because cable had to be run from the first floor router to the basement. A young man who works at the shelter, Ricky, worked much of that Saturday afternoon to run the cable, but our group had to leave before he could finish this big job.
Sharon indicated that her contract as shelter director was finished as of Dec. 1, and that I should contact you to make arrangements to return to finish the work. I am writing to let you know that I, and possibly one other group member, plan to return to East St. Louis this coming Friday and Saturday (December 5 and 6) to finish the work in the computer lab and get the machines online. There are also a few other minor things that need to be done to improve security of the systems and to make sure that all the machines have the same software available on them. It would be helpful if there were a staff member available one of those days for some additional training on maintaining the system.
Could you please advise me whether I will be able to have access to the lab on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning/afternoon to finish the work? Also, if you could identify someone at the shelter (Ricky, perhaps) that could be available for a brief introduction to the administrative upkeep of the system some time on Saturday, then I should be able to make sure that the lab is fully operational by the end of the day on Saturday.
I look forward to hearing from you and to continuing my work with Second Chance Shelter.
Response
Good morning, I received your e-mail, I thank you for you gifts of time and talents in helping the Second Chance Shelter.
Friday and Saturday the 5th and 6th of December will be fine.
Friday Afternoon Mrs. Pinkie Stevens will be there
Saturday Mr. Ricky Perkins will be there.
If you can give me an approximate time on Saturday I will ask Ms. Nakeyia Hopkins to be there
Thank you,
Rev. Smith
Response
Rev. Smith:
I think we will be departing from Champaign at around 7:30 AM on Friday, so we could be in East St. Louis as early as 11 AM, but there is another group that will be heading to a different site with equipment, so it’s possible we will drop them off first.
In terms of doing any training with staff members, I don’t need them there for more than an hour or so. If there is a time on either Friday afternoon or Saturday that would be most convenient for staff, then I could plan on working with them at that time. If it were to be Friday afternoon, it would probably be best if it were in the later part of the afternoon (say, after 3) so that I have some time to get the Internet connection working first.
I’m looking forward to my return visit tomorrow and to completing my work on the lab.