Community Tech Network Community Tech Network
Transforming Lives Through Digital Equity. DONATE
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Annual Reports & 990s
    • 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 Reports & 990s
    • 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
Oct 25

I Am Pro-Literacy. Are You?

  • October 25, 2015
  • General

Before I helped establish CTN as a nonprofit, I lived in New York City and worked for the Parks Department in their Computer Resource Centers. In 2003 I was teaching a group of women who were transitioning off welfare learn how to use Microsoft Office so they could update their resumes. It was here that I first encountered people who were illiterate. I was working with one woman and asked her to type in the word pumpkin, and she asked, “how do you spell that?” I was shocked, but quickly answered her and went on with the lesson. It was this experience that led me to become a volunteer for Literacy Partners and to devote six hours a week for two years helping adults increase their reading, writing, and math skills.

I just returned from the ProLiteracy conference, where I had the privilege of presenting with Amy Sonnie, a librarian from Oakland Public Library, about how we use volunteers to help increase access to digital literacy training. Our presentation titled It’s a Win Win: Engaging Volunteers to Advance Digital Literacy can be viewed here. The conference was an impressive combination of researchers, practioners, students, and administrators. Together, we are trying to make a difference in the lives of 36 million Americans who can’t read.

It always seemed strange to me that I would be asked to teach someone to use email if they couldn’t spell. But since those days in New York, many technology tools have been developed to help people gain skills in their own homes (assuming they have a computer and know how to use it). While nothing replaces being enrolled in an adult education class with a certified instructor, that is simply not realistic for many people.

I am hopeful that in my lifetime we will see an improvement, not only in the number of people who can read and write, but also in the number of adults taking the steps to continue their education. It’s good for their children. It’s good for the economy. And it’s good for our future.

Support our work of transforming lives through digital literacy! Make a financial contribution or become a volunteer.

Related

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

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.

Recent Posts

  • A Multi-Pronged Approach to Digital Equity: How CTN Is Transforming Lives
  • Provide Your Input — Help Close the Digital Divide in Texas
  • Breaking News! CTN Signs Partnerships with San Mateo and Sonoma Counties – May 2023
  • CTN Submits Responses to NTIA’s Digital Equity Act Request for Comments
  • The Digital Divide in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community

Follow us on Facebook

May is #OlderAmericansMonth. Did you know that #internetacess is crucial to older adults’ physical and emotional health? In fact, the Federal Communications Commission called #broadband a “super determinant” of health. Learn more and help older adults get connected today: ow.ly/S47y50NNuYp ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Unlocking digital opportunities for #AAPI communities is crucial for an inclusive society. This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, explore the impact of the #digitaldivide and the need for culturally and linguistically relevant #digital literacy services. Join the conversation & read more in our blog 👉 ow.ly/6eqr50OsPtv ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

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:

©2023 Community Tech Network. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Proudly powered by WordPress Hosted by Pressable