Mayor Murray and the Seattle City Council today announced the 23 organizations that will receive a total of $320,000 in Technology Matching Funds from the City of Seattle. The awardees passed unanimously out of committee. Approval by the full Council is expected on Monday. 
Mayor Murray and the Seattle City Council today announced the 23 organizations that will receive a total of $320,000 in Technology Matching Funds from the City of Seattle. The awardees passed unanimously out of committee. Watch the video here. Approval by the full Council is expected on Monday.
“While access to technology has increased for many, there is still a significant gap in the access to and use of technology in Seattle,” said Mayor Murray. “Technology skills are necessary for success in the 21st century and these funds play a critical role in preparing our residents.”
“These funds play an important role in leveling the playing field. They help our must vulnerable residents use technology in innovative and meaningful ways, including seniors, at risk youth, homeless women and children, immigrants and refugees, and people with disabilities,” said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee.
The money will support projects throughout the city to ensure all Seattleites have access to and proficiency using internet-based technologies. These projects were selected from Seattle’s Technology Advisory Board from more than 67 applicants and will contribute a projected $685,711 in community matching resources, more than double the City’s investment.
The funds will support greater digital equity in Seattle. Several projects will help Seattle build a diverse technology workforce, by providing STEM education programs for youth of color and computer and applications training to immigrants and low-income adults. Other programs will help seniors and people with disabilities better engage using a variety of tools, including tablets, touch screens and social media. The projects will also enable greater electronic civic participation for many disadvantaged residents.
The 2014 Technology Matching Fund award recipients include:
- Ballard NW Senior Center
- Casa Latina
- North Seattle Family Center/ Children’s Home Society of WA
- Denny Terrace Computer Lab
- Elizabeth Gregory Home
- Filipino Community of Seattle
- Helping Link
- Hilltop House
- Lao Women Association of Washington
- Literacy Source
- North Seattle Boys & Girls Club
- Northaven Retirement and Assisted Living
- Open Doors for Multicultural Families/STAR Center at Center Park
- Ross Manor Computer Lab
- Seattle Neighborhood Coalition
- Solid Ground Sand Point Housing Campus
- Somali Community Services of Seattle
- South Park Area Redevelopment Center
- The Jefferson Terrace Computer Lab Committee
- University of Washington Women’s Center
- Vietnamese Friendship Association
- Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH)
- YMCA of Greater Seattle – Y @ Cascade People’s Center.
For more information and a map of Technology Matching Fund awardees visit http://www.seattle.gov/tech/TMF/2014.