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Full Circle Fund has been effectively leveraging technology as a tool to address our community’s most pressing needs since our inception in 2000. Due to this work, five Full Circle Fund grantees were selected in early August to meet with the new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski to showcase their innovative practices in reducing the digital divide.

Genachowski has been charged by Congress to lead the creation of a national broadband strategy in order to increase access to technology for America’s low-resource citizens. His team is currently researching the best models for digital inclusion, and so The Stride Center, Community Technology Network (CTN), One Economy, BayCAT, as well as The City and County of San Francisco were brought together as leaders in this arena.

The convening was held at Valencia Gardens, a national model created by the City of San Francisco which brings high speed Internet access to public housing sites. Residents there are able to get incredible broadband speeds of over 50 mbps as well as a range of training and support programs. The Center is connected to the Internet through City fiber.

In addition to presentations by the nonprofits, Full Circle Fund CEO Amy Lesnick presented information about Full Circle Fund to Chairman Genachowski and his team, and Chris Vein, City and County of San Francisco CIO gave a tour of the housing community and outlined the innovative broadband infrastructure that is connecting one of our most vulnerable populations to the valuable resources of the internet.

Mike McCarthy, Community Broadband Manager for the City and County of San Francisco, was responsible for coordinating this meeting. A Full Circle Fund Member, Michael reflected,

“It’s exciting that our work in the city of San Francisco was recognized by the Chairman of FCC. It was great that we could bring Full Circle Fund’s nonprofit partners that are doing innovative digital inclusion work to the forefront,” he continued, “I’m eager to see how our model in San Francisco can inform the FCC as they develop a national broadband strategy.“

Full Circle Fund has had a long-standing commitment to technology as a vehicle for social change and has been successful in partnering with other key organizations across sectors. Amy observed,

“This event was a chance for the Chairman to see these programs that are truly working in the city. He seemed very impressed with our partner organizations and the unique ways they deliver technology services to low income communities.”

Posted in CTN, Stride Center, Michael McCarthy, Amy Lesnick, event, One Economy, digital opportunity, technology