From the #NPTechClubATX November 2, 2020 presentation.
https://local.nten.org/events/details/nten-austin-presents-online-kami-griffiths-on-community-tech-network-and-its-work-in-austin/
Kami Griffiths is the executive director and co-founder of Community Tech Network, a nonprofit with the mission to transform lives through digital literacy. With over 15 years of experience working in the public sector, Kami has developed a passion for helping people gain access and better utilize technology, after witnessing firsthand how the digital divide and low literacy levels were aiding the cycle of poverty.
Kami has worked for the City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation, managing 27 public access computing centers, teaching computer classes and establishing their volunteer trainer program. As the Training and Outreach Manager for TechSoup Global, Kami greatly expanded her knowledge and understanding of the nonprofit technology field, having conducted over 200 interviews with librarians and producing over 100 webinars. She is a founding member of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and speaks nationally about digital inclusion.
“The City of Austin has been a national leader for digital inclusion for many years,” Griffiths said upon opening in Austin in 2017, “and we are excited to work with them, the community partners who participate in the digital empowerment of the City of Austin (DECA) and other Central Texas nonprofits who are looking to help their community cross the digital divide.”
2. INTRODUCTIONS
Our mission is to
transform lives through
digital literacy.
Kami Griffiths
Executive Director, Co-founder
About CTN
• Established in 2008 in San Francisco,
expanded to Austin,TX in 2017
• Focus is on delivery basic digital literacy
training to adults/seniors
• Assist with getting devices and internet
• Create and translate curriculum
• Utilize volunteers and paid staff as
trainers
• Provide training for trainers
• Able to accommodate 5 languages
3. WHY TO MOVE TO AUSTIN
Always envisioned providing
services outside the Bay Area
Like the Bay Area,Austin is a major
tech hub
Pressure from the connected
majority pushes more services
online and minimizes what’s
available offline
30% of residents in 60 large and
medium-size cities in Texas still lack
a wireline broadband connection in
2019 https://www.digitalinclusion.org/worst-
connected-cities-2019
5. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN (HACA)
Provided 10 months of training for trainers
participating in their Lab Apprentice Program (LAP)
6. FAMILY ELDERCARE
Launched a program called Connect @ Home
Provided tablets and training to 40 seniors from
North Loop Apartments, RBJ, Oak SpringsVillas, and
Wildflower Terrace
12-week training program happened in-person once
a week
7. DIGITAL PARENTS
Partnership with AISD
Provided laptops and training to 25 parents of Martin
Middle School
Spanish classes taught by Latinitas
8. DIGITAL DEVICE DROP-IN
Partnership with Austin Office of Innovation
Recruited and trained volunteers to help people
experiencing homelessness improve their computer
skills
2-3 sessions each week at Terrazas Branch Library
9. FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES
40 residents at Cardinal Point property with devices
and training
20 desktop computers
20 Chromebook laptops
Provided 25 hours of virtual training
11. DIGITAL INCLUSION COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN
Digital Empowerment Community of Austin (DECA)
Facilitating bi-weekly DECA calls
Next one at 11/4 at 2pm
2019 Digital InclusionWeek Celebration
2020 Digital InclusionWeek Webinar
Link to the webinar passcode: ?W1*v2bm
12. LIFE AFTER COVID
Home Connect program
Helping older adults sign up for internet, acquire a
10 inch tablet and receive remote 1-on-1 training
Nonprofit partners participating in train-the-trainer
Austin Free-Net
Aging Services Council
Social IsolationTask Force
Webinar presented during Aging & Innovation Summit