Aug 01

August 2020 Network News

HOME CONNECT: CTN’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

This is our story — a three-part recap of how Community Tech Network’s volunteers and employees, supported by leadership from our board members and financial supporters, changed our focus and quickly re-engineered our service delivery model.
  • Part 1: CTN Takes Action to Ensure Continuity of Its Programming: When the coronavirus began to impact nearly all aspects of Americans’ lives in early March, it quickly became evident that our world was changing and it was no longer business as usual. CTN joined the ranks of other businesses and nonprofit organizations that began planning for the unknown. Read our blog to learn how that process began in late March.
  • Part 2: Volunteer Digital Coach Task Force Refines Home Connect Design: Home Connect’s program success depended on the availability of volunteer trainers. After an email call went out to our volunteers for their help and expertise, a Volunteer Digital Coach Task Force was formed to develop the content and curriculum they would be responsible for teaching. Read more on our blog.
  • Part 3: CTN’s Home Connect Program at Three Months: After 12 years of success in developing and delivering in-person digital literacy training, CTN’s legacy now includes three months of delivering digital connectivity and virtual training to older adult learners sheltering in place. Read more about Home Connect program outcomes and service delivery statistics.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: DONALD MICHIDA

Donald holds the distinction of being the first digital coach to be matched with an older adult Home Connect learner. This was after he joined nine other volunteers to responsible for defining the curriculum and training tools used by the digital coaches in the Home Connect program. Read all about Donald on our blog.

CARDINAL POINT RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE GRADUATION

In mid-June, remote digital training began for residents at Cardinal Point, an Austin Foundation Communities’ property. Forty Cardinal Point residents participated in the online classes conducted by CTN staff members Carlos Sivira, Josie Boyle, and Sabrina Tam, all living in San Francisco! Join us to read more about this innovative training success.

CTN LEARNER SPOTLIGHTS

  • Scott Aiu: “Too good to be true.” That is how Home Connect Learner Scott Aiu described his first impression of CTN. “I was about to give up. I was lonely and feeling really down being stuck at home. And then I was referred to Community Tech Network. That call really saved my life.” Take a few minutes to learn more about Scott’s adventure on our blog.
  • Valerie: “After my training began, I was reminded how much I missed being around others. This experience with CTN has given me new hope about the people of San Francisco amidst all the ugliness with the virus and social issues playing out daily.” Valerie’s story is yet another example of how CTN volunteers and staff improve seniors’ lives every day. Read her story on our blog.
  • Catherine: After the stay-at-home orders effectively made the computers at the library off-limits, Catherine contacted CTN to see if we could assist with helping her obtain internet access or a device of her own. As a result of that one call, both of her needs were met! She is back online while staying safe at home and planning on more CTN training. Read more on our blog.