In August, Community Tech Network launched a new training program in San Francisco at the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Residence, managed by Bayview Senior Services. Seventeen residents have graduated so far, and there are over 10 more seniors signed up for November. It promises to be a popular class, and we’re on track to support at least 30 residents by the end of November.
CTN’s Digital Literacy Program manager, Jernee Carter (known as Nay), has already established a rapport with students through her tutoring work at the senior center next door to the residence. This continuity means that residents can feel more confident in learning, knowing there is continuous support available to them from a familiar face. Nay says:
“I absolutely adore going to GWD. I have been tutoring in the lab once a week for about 4 months, teaching classes on the resident side, and everyone makes me feel like family. I feel like I now have a dozen grandparents! With all the giggles, smiles and shrieks, I know that what we’re teaching is really useful to them and they’re having fun while they do it.”
The program is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission’s Broadband Public Housing Account program, a grant obtained through an application supported by CTN. Upon completing 8 hours of training, each resident will receive a free tablet to use at home. This project builds on CTN’s experience of training residents living in low-income housing, a program that began with Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) in 2016. CTN has trained over 1,200 learners in this program since 2016.
