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
Jun 14

Partner Spotlight: Burbank Housing

  • June 14, 2022
  • General, Partner Spotlights

“CTN is not only bringing communities together, but it’s bringing families together as well.” — Mary Lockhart, Resident Service Coordinator for Senior Housing at Burbank Housing

CTN’s Partnership with Burbank Housing

As part of a grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Burbank Housing partnered with Community Tech Network to offer its elderly residents digital literacy courses. “It’s been fabulous,” says Burbank Housing’s Mary Lockhart regarding the collaboration. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be a part of this.”

For two years, CTN will be offering weekly classes to small groups of senior citizens across the various Burbank Housing properties in the northern Bay Area. Each cohort meets for five weeks. “Many of our senior residents have never been online before,” says Mary. “But I tell them, ‘whether you have no experience or have already used the internet, this class is made for you.’”

The response has been incredible. One participant texted Mary saying, “Thank you for setting up the class that not only taught me how to use a tablet, but also provided me with a free one that would’ve been an expense for me to purchase. I so appreciate it, & I’m enjoying it so, so much. Thank you, again, a thousand times.”

Bringing People Together

Burbank Housing’s community rooms were closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened when CTN’s training began. Community members were excited for the chance to gather with their neighbors. “[This program] is bringing people back together after COVID. The group is always laughing and joyful,” says Mary. By using their new tech skills, Burbank residents are also able to connect with family members. “Many of the seniors’ grandchildren are reaching out to them, like, ‘Hey, grandma, now that you have a tablet, let me show you how to do this and that.’ It allows families to keep in touch,” explains Mary.

A Lasting Impact

The program has shown major benefits for the seniors’ health. “In my four years working here,” says Mary, “I’ve never seen the residents so focused as when they’re learning something on their tablets. It’s great for their minds, almost like doing a crossword puzzle.”

Mary continues, “People can contact their doctors now. If they need information, they can go on YouTube to learn. This program has really enriched their lives. It’s given them a link to the whole world.”

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

  • How to Become a Volunteer at Community Tech Networ
  • Digital Equity for Black Americans: A Racial Justice Issue
  • Why Is the Internet More Expensive in the USA than in Other Countries?
  • What Is Digital Redlining and How Does It Perpetuate Poverty?
  • Digital Mythbusting: Why Smartphones Are Not Enough to Bridge the Digital Divide

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:

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