Community Tech Network Community Tech Network
Transforming Lives Through Digital Equity. DONATE
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Annual Report
    • Our Impact
    • CTN History
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Partners
    • Funders
    • Jobs
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Capacity Building
    • Direct Services
  • Impact Stories
    • Videos
    • Case Studies
      • San Francisco Responds to COVID-19 (PDF)
      • The Pandemic Pivot (PDF)
    • Newsletters
    • CTN In the News
    • Spotlight Stories
      • Volunteer Spotlights
      • Learner Spotlights
      • Partner Spotlights
      • Funder Spotlights
      • Staff Spotlights
    • CTN Advocacy
    • Sign up for CTN eNews
  • PARTNER WITH US
  • Volunteer
    • Become a Digital Coach
    • Volunteer Heroes
    • Application
  • Resources
    • Request a Digital Coach
    • Training Schedule
    • SF Connected Calendar
    • Affordable Connectivity Program
  • Donate
Community Tech Network Community Tech Network
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Annual Report
    • Our Impact
    • CTN History
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Partners
    • Funders
    • Jobs
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Capacity Building
    • Direct Services
  • Impact Stories
    • Videos
    • Case Studies
      • San Francisco Responds to COVID-19 (PDF)
      • The Pandemic Pivot (PDF)
    • Newsletters
    • CTN In the News
    • Spotlight Stories
      • Volunteer Spotlights
      • Learner Spotlights
      • Partner Spotlights
      • Funder Spotlights
      • Staff Spotlights
    • CTN Advocacy
    • Sign up for CTN eNews
  • PARTNER WITH US
  • Volunteer
    • Become a Digital Coach
    • Volunteer Heroes
    • Application
  • Resources
    • Request a Digital Coach
    • Training Schedule
    • SF Connected Calendar
    • Affordable Connectivity Program
  • Donate
May 15

Employee Spotlight: Sabrina Tam

  • May 15, 2020
  • Staff Spotlights

Photo: Sabrina assisting a group of older adult learners in the days before social distancing

As a senior program manager with CTN in San Francisco, Sabrina Tam has seen her role has change dramatically over the last two months. When she joined CTN 2 1/2 years ago, she was able to sit next to her students and guide them directly through the digital learning process. But during our transition to virtual training as a result of COVID-19, our training delivery had to evolve. Sabrina has helped lead the development and implementation of our new program, Home Connect, and is testing out how CTN can also offer tech assistance over the phone for older adults.

Born in Hong Kong, Sabrina recently shared how she spent a total of three hours (over the course of a day) assisting a Cantonese-speaking 73-year-old man with a tech question. He had participated in a CTN digital literacy program and received a tablet two years ago in a training funded by CPUC. He recently found himself no longer able to use WeChat, a popular messaging app in the Chinese community. He had Sabrina’s phone number from his original training and called her for help.

Most of the time was spent on guiding him to look for the app store and to download a screen-sharing app over the phone. The eventual solution took about 5 minutes once Sabrina could see his screen. It seems that WeChat had changed its security settings. The learner was happy and appreciative that he could again get in touch with his family and friends. This is a great example of why the Home Connect devices are preloaded with the screen-sharing software prior to their delivery to the learner!

Sabrina says, “It’s so rewarding to see the joy on a learner’s face when he/she learns something new and understands a new concept. Many older learners lack confidence in using technology, and they may think that they are too old to learn or that technology is just too difficult. As their teacher, I want my learners to know that with patience and practice, everyone can learn to use a computer.”

Sabrina’s work ethic, commitment, and dedication to those we serve is an inspiration to us all. Patience, sensitivity to their fears, and respect are but a few of the unique set of essential skills she demonstrates when working with older adults. Sabrina, thank you for all you do.

Related

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

Related Posts

  • Volunteer Spotlight: Daniel RasconNovember 11, 2020
  • Volunteer Spotlight: Edwin RagadioJune 23, 2020

Comments are closed.

CTN Stories

  • Videos
  • Newsletters
  • CTN In the News
  • Volunteer Spotlights
  • Learner Spotlights
  • Partner Spotlights
  • Funder Spotlights
  • CTN Advocacy

Stay Connected with CTN by signing up for our email list.

This form is currently undergoing maintenance. Please try again later.

Recent Posts

  • What is Digital Redlining and How Does It Perpetuate Poverty?
  • Digital Mythbusting: Why Smartphones Are Not Enough to Bridge the Digital Divide
  • CTN Offers Digital Navigator Training to Youth Library Volunteers
  • Thank You for All Your Support in 2022! – Jan 2023
  • CTN’s Kami Griffiths Teaching Online Digital Equity Course Through NTEN!

Follow us on Facebook

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
Click to show error
Error: Invalid OAuth access token - Cannot parse access token Type: OAuthException

Community Tech Network believes 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.

Contact Us

San Francisco Office
1390 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94102

General Questions
inquiries@communitytechnetwork.org
855-983-0318

Press
press@communitytechnetwork.org
855-983-0318 x 3636
Media Kit

Explore job opportunities with CTN

Send us a note:

©2022 Community Tech Network. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Proudly powered by WordPress Hosted by Pressable