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A displaced Hurricane Katrina victim learned how to open an email account and requested an extension on his application to the Road Home program. A senior couple were taught to use Google Earth and saw the street they once lived on in the Philippines. They now use email, and read about their hometown on Wikipedia. Each day, Community Technology Network (CTN) volunteers help connect low-income San Francisco residents to life-changing technology.

CTN, a Full Circle Fund Technology Circle grantee, began in 2001 as a volunteer-led project under the auspices of CompuMentor (now TechSoup Global). At that time, money was being funneled into community centers that didn’t have the staff or skills to leverage it, and there was no vehicle for the underserved to easily review in one place the technology courses were being offered at the various community centers.

CTN filled this critical niche by creating systems and services to help these other programs work more efficiently. With the support of a two-year Full Circle Fund grant, CTN has grown into a viable nonprofit with official 501(c) status, two paid staff, and a thriving array of services. By providing training, mentorship, networking, and volunteers to underserved communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, CTN promotes and advocates for digital inclusion and literacy.

Says Executive Director Kami Griffiths, “The biggest success is that CTN is now a legitimate nonprofit with two part-time staff and dozens of volunteers. We are in this position because Full Circle Fund saw a potential leader and a good idea and supported it. Because of this funding we were able to win another grant for $35,000.”

In the first year of the grant, members of the Technology Circle were integral in the development of CTN as it adjusted its organizational structure to become an independent organization. In 2008, with support and funding from Full Circle Fund, CTN received their nonprofit status. During this second grant year, Full Circle Fund assisted with more tactical projects such as strengthening the volunteer program, creating a plan for a mobile application, and supporting the new Executive Director.

“I’ve personally grown so much as a leader through my involvement with Full Circle Fund and its incredible network of people,” Kami reflected, “Another win is that I met someone at a Full Circle Fund event who later became a board member. He has taken a substantial leadership role and will most likely be our next board president.”

CTN’s impact is measurable. So far, over 50 volunteers have contributed in excess of 1,500 hours to five locations across San Francisco. Volunteers taught people how to navigate the internet, use email, connect with family and apply for jobs. Additionally, 74 San Francisco based computer centers are listed in the searchable directory and in 2010 computer centers will be able to post their class schedules.

If you’d like to become part of the volunteer corps that help CTN improve the quality of community technology resources in the Bay Area, click here to learn about getting involved.

Posted in CTN, Kami Griffiths, impact, results, TechSoup, technology