Empowering Communities with Digital Literacy
San Francisco, CA – February 4, 2022
Access to the internet is a critical quality of life issue for older adults that reduces social isolation, improves health, and promotes economic stability. Digital Literacy nonprofit Community Tech Network (CTN) is thrilled to announce that Twitter has granted $50,000 to support CTN’s mission to transform lives through digital literacy.
Twitter’s social impact arm— Twitter for Good— aims to use the positive power of Twitter to strengthen communities through its platform, people, and profits. Motivated to promote internet education and equality, Twitter for Good provides financial grants to organizations worldwide. Their support will help CTN provide older and low-income adults with a configured device, assistance securing low-cost broadband, and comprehensive digital skills training to learn how to utilize the internet safely.
“Twitter is thrilled to provide Community Tech Network with a $50,000 grant to support their digital literacy programming in the Bay Area. This past year has proven how critical digital skills are to participating in society, accessing resources and information, and connecting with the community. We are inspired by Community Tech Network’s efforts to transform lives through comprehensive digital skills training, and we’re grateful to play a role in their mission,” says Karl Robillard, Twitter’s Head of Social Impact.
The pandemic has exacerbated the damaging effects of the digital divide, often leaving those without digital skills and access to technology socially isolated and economically disadvantaged. For older adults, socialization is crucial to maintaining mental and physical health. According to the CDC, loneliness and poor social relations increase early mortality, dementia, heart disease, and stroke risks.
“CTN is grateful for Twitter’s commitment to creating a better world through technology. This grant will enable us to continue providing critical digital skills training to the populations who need it most. As we gear up to expand our services across the country, we are excited to have support from Twitter to help build a more digitally equitable world for all,” says Kami Griffiths, CTN’s Co-founder and Executive Director.
For more information on Community Tech Network, visit: https://communitytechnetwork.org
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Since 2008 CTN has provided digital literacy training to adults and seniors in public libraries, low-income housing developments, senior centers, schools, and social service agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CTN expanded its programs to provide training remotely. The organization has since developed a training-for-trainers program and made its curricula available to partner agencies.
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Community Tech Network’s Mission
Our mission is to transform lives through digital literacy.
We believe that access to the internet is a human right and that those without the skills to use a computer are at risk of social and economic disadvantage. Public services and essential information are increasingly moving online, and many people cannot access those resources. While many organizations are working to spread Internet connectivity to the underserved, access to technology is only a partial solution. Connectivity needs to be coupled with digital skills training that is relevant and delivered in a way that won’t intimidate the adult learner.
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