Programs

Volunteer Program
In order to increase the capabilities of Bay Area computer labs, CTN recruits and trains volunteers from local communities to provide technology mentorship to clients with various socio-economic backgrounds. CTN provides 90-minute volunteer trainings that prepare volunteers to work as computer tutors and lab monitors. To best tailor our volunteer program to the needs of our community, CTN invites all lab managers to request volunteers, as needed. CTN evaluates available resources and matches understaffed labs with qualified volunteers.

Through a volunteer program partnership with the San Francisco Department of Technology, CTN assists the agency with its digital inclusion initiatives. CTN's list of volunteer program partners includes other Bay Area agencies that have also taken CTN’s Leadership Training program, accessed qualified volunteers and sponsored Meetups. These agencies include: Opportunity Impact; Bayview Apartments; Homeless Prenatal Program; The St. Anthony Foundation; CAMINOS; Network Ministries; Streetside Stories; and Mission Housing, which also provides their facility for Leadership Trainings and Meetups. CTN also partners with the Stride Center and their ReliaTech program to provide information about computer recycling, repairs and access to low-cost, refurbished computers.

Network Directory
The directory provides a comprehensive, up-to-date list of computer labs in San Francisco and will soon expand to include labs throughout the Bay Area. Community Technology organizations throughout the Bay Area create profile pages in this online space to better connect with constituents and colleagues, promote programs and classes, share resources and connect with volunteers. We invite you to explore this comprehensive directory of community technology centers. If you are technology center manager and would like information or assistance with creating or editing your center’s profile page, please contact us. Regardless of your user needs, CTN remains committed to maintaining this directory as an ad-free, spam-free resource for all users.

Networking Meetup
Each month, CTN shares ideas, innovative curriculum and resources for Community Technology professionals and clients in the San Francisco Bay Area. We believe that the Community Technology community benefits from coming together to meet each other and build partnerships. With this in mind, and based on feedback and suggestions, we are thrilled to offer the following, three-track format for our Meetup:

1) Digital Literacy: Topics include sharing lesson plans and online job search techniques
2) Community Media: Topics include digital storytelling and streaming radio shows
3) Lab Management: Topics include maintaining computers and organizing your lab