TAPP grew out of volunteer work for public housing children. Funding from the Canadian Federal Government under its Youth Services Canada program resulted in the creation of the first TAPP project in March 1998.
By October 1999, a total of 28 community access centres had been established. In November 1999, TAPP began another expansion phase which resulted in another 50 access centres being established by the spring of 2001.
TAPP is working in partnership with Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), specifically with its Youth Services Canada program (YSC), to provide work opportunities for youth at risk.
In December 1999 TAPP was approved as a federally incorporated non-profit organization, and was officially approved as a charitable organization in January 2002. We provide charitable income tax receipts upon request, for donations of cash, furniture, surplus computers and hardware.
TAPP has developed projects for women only,
Women Assisting the Community,
the Female Leadership Assistance Program (FLAP) and two
Female Employment Mentoring (FEM) projects or WAC as it known by,
provides a safe environment for women at risk.
We give them skills in computing, office administration, web design and
public relations.
They will be eventually working with our community partners providing
needed services, while continuing to develop their personal goals.
TAPP continues to assist the community in providing access to technology for those who would otherwise have difficulty in accessing it. In addition TAPP is expanding its efforts to provide skills development and employment for youth and low income families.
TAPP has developed The Community Computer Depot for individuals and non-profit organizations to directly pick up computers at very minimal costs.
TAPP is also a Youth Employment Strategy Partner of the Federal Government
(HRDC - Youth Services Canada)
March - September 1998
HRDC - YSC Program, TAPP (The Anti-Poverty Project), under the sponsorship of the Action Centre for Social Justice
With 12 participants, set up community access Internet centers using donated equipment. All participants qualified for their completion grant.
March 1999 - September 1999
HRDC - YSC Program - TOP (Technology Opportunity Program)
With 12 high-risk participants, TAPP Internet access centre network expanded throughout Ottawa-Carleton. All but one participant qualified for their completion grant.
September 2000 - March 2001
HRDC - YSC Program - MAP (Multimedia Access Program)
With 12 high-risk participants, the MAP project worked with the TAPP community-access network to produce web sites and associated multimedia material. All participants qualified for their completion grant.
July 2001 - March 2002
HRDC - YSC Program - TIP (Technology Independence Program)
With 20 high-risk participants, the TIP worked with TAPP to develop the self-sufficiency within the 50 community-based Internet access centers TAPP has established in Ottawa
November 2001 - June 2002
HRDC - YSC Program - WIN (Women’s Interdependence Network)
With 12 high-risk women, the WIN program worked with TAPP to provide services to the community. The women were placed in community partners to enhance their computer skills as well as their administrative skills
July 2002 - December 2002
HRDC - YSC Program - CCD (Community Computer Depot)
With 10 high-risk participants, the CCD is a retail-like operation providing computer technology to low-income individuals and organizations on a storefront basis. In partnership with the City of Ottawa, CCD has continued as a TAPP operation after the end of the YSC funding.
July 2002 - December 2002
HRDC - YSC Program - WAC (Women Assisting the Community)
With 10 high-risk women, the WAC program worked with TAPP to provide services to the community. The women provided “Train the Trainer” services and public relations to community partners.
July 2003 - December 2003
HRDC - YSC Program - CROP (The Community Resources Opportunity Program)
With 12 high-risk young adults, the CROP project provided various community groups publicity, technology, data-base, and web-page assistance to community partners.
July 2003 - December 2003
HRDC - YSC Program - FLAP (Female Leadership and Assistance Program)
With 12 high-risk female young adults, the FLAP project devised, conducted, and prepared a report on female poverty in Ottawa. The research study involved 250 women living in poverty.
March 2004 - October 2004
HRDC - YSC Program - FEM (Female Employment Mentorship) Program
With 12 high-risk bilingual female young adults, the FEM program was conducted primarily in French, providing the participants with an employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses.
September 2005 - March 2006
HRSDC - Skills Link Program - BRP (Bread and Roses Program)
With 12 high-risk young adults (men and women), this program provides assistance to non-profit organizations involved in addressing issues relating to the provision of food from a community point of view.
September 2005 - March 2006
HRSDC - Skills Link Program - FEM (Female Employment Mentorship) Program
This program continues TAPP’s increasing emphasis on employment placement and work experience for women. Twelve young women with employment barriers receive employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses.
June 2006 - December 2006
HRSDC - Skills Link Program - FEM (Female Employment Mentorship) Program
This program continues TAPP’s increasing emphasis on employment placement and work experience for women. Twelve young women with employment barriers receive employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses.