Two New York-area nonprofits, HEAVEN and MOUSE, are teaming up to help that city's public schools bridge the digital divide.

HEAVEN, which stands for Helping Educate, Activate, Volunteer and Empower via the Net, and MOUSE (Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools & Education) agreed to work together to more efficiently address the digital divide problem. The "digital divide" is the catch term for the growing technology deficiency between wealthier communities that can afford the latest computing and online services and equipment, and poorer communities that aren't "wired" to a significant degree.

The new program -- which will operate under the MOUSE name -- will offer students scholarships and a technical Web site-building program. These programs will coincide with MOUSE's existing new media internship program, online newspaper contest for high school students, a young woman's technology program, technology community centers and tech forums for educators.

MOUSE was founded in 1997 by people from New York City's technology community, known as Silicon Alley. The group -- which now has more than 1,500 volunteers -- has provided more than 38 public schools with an estimated $5 million worth of equipment, technical expertise and support.

HEAVEN, also formed in 1997, serves as an "online portal to the worlds of civic involvement, volunteerism and philanthropy" in the New York area.

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