IMPACT

Impact

We seek to make tangible impacts on local communities, families, and individuals in the Bay Area.

To date

computers distributed

instructional hours of computer training

pounds of e-waste diverted from landfills

youth technical internship

The Digital Divide

Almost half a million students and families do not have access to technology being classified as digitally excluded. For low-income families with a household income of less than $20,000, nearly 60% have no broadband connection at home.

Lack of Internet access is both a result and a contributing factor to the poverty cycle that limits opportunities for social mobility in underserved communities. When residents are digitally connected they have unlimited opportunities to access online education, employment, health, financial, and civic services.

This digital divide has particularly dire consequences when it comes to children and their education because of what is termed the “homework gap.” The homework gap which refers to the difficulty children have completing homework when they lack computer or internet access at home, compared to those who have access. 70% of high school teachers assign homework requiring online connectivity, yet more than five million families with school-aged students do not have internet connectivity at home.

Without Internet and computer access, students struggle to complete schoolwork and fall behind their peers in developing the digital literacy skills that are essential in an evolving workplace.

Adults miss out on job searching opportunities, and parents miss opportunities to engage with school communities and to support their children’s school work. Many rely on computers to find better jobs or complete school work — tasks that research shows can ultimately lead to less dependency on government aid as workers find better job offers or complete education or training that can ultimately lead to better wages.

In order to address this digital divide, Tech Exchange prioritizes serving disadvantaged community members who are digitally excluded and works to improve economic security conditions for low-income individuals of all ages through technology and information access and skill-building.

Our Approach

Our core solution, Tech for All, connects low-income families who are digitally excluded by providing them with a refurbished computer, digital skills training, tech support, and assistance accessing affordable $10/month Internet.

Over the last three years, Tech Exchange has scaled our Tech for All Program throughout the Bay Area, growing services by nearly 400% and serving over 10,000 homes. 

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Programs

TECH HUB

These events, held in partnership with schools, anchor institutions, and community organizations, convene 30+ families that are digitally dark. Families are provided assistance in signing up for the affordable Internet, a digital skills workshop, and a free refurbished computer.

TECH NIGHTS

These events, held in partnership with schools and community organizations, convene 30+ families that are digitally disconnected. Families are provided a digital skills workshop, assistance in signing up for the affordable Internet, and a refurbished computer.

TECH FAIRS

These events, held in partnership with libraries, school districts, public agencies, and community organizations, convene 300+ community members that are digitally disconnected. Families engage with resource tables, tech activities, receive assistance in signing up for the affordable Internet, and are provided a refurbished computer.

TECH FOR HOUSING

Tech Exchange provides digital inclusion services to 10 public housing sites across the Bay Area to support residents across varying language, age, and technology experience. Tech Exchange provides four main types of programming to our housing partner sites including digital literacy instruction, a computer center, home access, and tech support. Residents are taught to use of online financial tools, earn certificates from online training programs, and gain digital productivity skills.

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Testimonials

“The Volunteer Rewards Program ” - Jay L.

This summer, I volunteered with Tech Exchange and took their community workshops. It was through these sessions I learned how to refurbish a computer, and I hope to become a computer technician someday!

“Tech Exchange has made a deeper impact on the community than I can describe.” - Name Here

I’m a computer teacher at a local elementary school, but I have been volunteering with Tech Exchange for 3 years. I sometimes lead community workshops on the digital divide, and the audiences have grown from 4 to 50+ members. Tech Exchange has made a deeper impact on the community than I can describe.

“Tech Exchange has inspired me to pursue a career in technology” - Somaia J.

I always had an interest in digital technology and media, but I never owned my own computer so I always went to the local library to read and learn about coding. I hope to become a software engineer for a big company someday!

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