Community Technology Network (CTN)

Background

Although the average Californian depends on the Internet for employment, education, health care, services and civic life, a recent study reflects that the digital divide continues to widen in California, particularly for Latino and low-income residents. Eighty percent of Californians think the Internet is an important information source; however, only forty percent of residents with household incomes of less than $40,000 have Internet in their homes, as opposed to ninety percent of those with household incomes of more than $80,000.[1].

To help bridge this gap, many organizations and centers provide access to computers, the Internet, and IT training; yet, inequalities of accessibility are still apparent. Geographical gaps in one area coexist with overlap of services in another. Resources for technology programs are scare, but organizations and community centers are continually "recreating the wheel" as there is a noticeable dearth of shared learning and collaboration between these digital inclusion community programs. For years, many individuals and organizations imagined the accessibility gap would be closed by San Francisco's free municipal Wi-Fi network, until a key partnership in the project fell apart in Fall 2007.[2]

Organization Mission

The mission of CTN is to improve the effectiveness of participating community-based organizations that have technology access and training as a driving part of their mission, educational programs and client-centered services. The programs of these organizations include youth development, workforce development, community development, social justice, and technology training. They are organizations who work directly with a disadvantaged community in the SF Bay Area, and use technology access and training to better serve their clients and fulfill their mission.

CTN is both a convener and an advocate in helping these organizations to fulfill their mission at their maximum potential and to expand their capabilities, by fostering collaboration, sharing information, and facilitating information flow between these organizations.

Full Circle Fund Role

Project lead, Kami Griffiths, and other members of Full Circle Fund's Technology Circle have been integral in the development of CTN as it adjusts its organizational structure as an independent organization.

Impact

Although only mid-way through the project, Full Circle Fund's partnership with CTN has already had significant results:

• Assisted the volunteer-run organization apply for and successfully receive 501c3 status in early June 2008
• Increased the board of directors from four to twelve members representing community technology leaders from around the Bay Area
• Convened monthly meetings of Bay Area organizations working in community technology to share best practices. Thus far 150 members have joined five successful meetings discussing the topics like refurbished computers, successful youth programs, community partnerships, digital storytelling, among others.
• Helped secure web designer/developer for beta site of the Community Technology Hub to be released in August 2008. It will include a map of community technology providers, searchable available trainings, and a tool to post information about programs and recruit volunteers

Sources:

¹ Californians and Information Technology, Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Survey, June 2008
² "'Digital Inclusion' Efforts Give Training, Gear", Agam Shah, PCWorld.com, April 13, 2008

NAME: Community Technology Network
LOCATION: San Francisco
WEB: ctnbayarea.org
GRANT TERM: 2007-2008
TEAM LEAD: Kami Griffiths