Tech Matching Fund awards up to $20,000 in matching funds to community projects which increase resident access to information technology, increase literacy in using technology, and/or apply technology to foster civic engagement and community building. …
The Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS) serves all persons of Ethiopian origin by providing help to those in need, and empowers them to live productive lives. With support from the Technology Matching Fund last year, the organization revitalized their computer lab. When asked to reflect on the impact of the grant, Computer Center Coordinator Tefera Gulelat shared these comments: What were the greatest successes of your project? “The ECS computer center has become an invaluable resource for large number of low income people in their quest to learn new technology and to better themselves. They surf the internet for job search, tutorial services, homework help, research their class projects and engaging their friends through social media. It is really heartening to see a good number of senior citizens frequenting our facility.” What were your most difficult challenges? “We were challenged in several fronts when we tried to procure our native Amharic language word processor. The lack of standards in their encoding (ASCII or Unicode) scheme, compatibility with various operating systems and the varying cost made it harder for us to choose among several competing vendors.
City grants to help your community with technology We are offering workshops and now accepting applications from community and neighborhood groups for the 2013 Technology Matching Fund. Applications are due March 4. Attend a workshop and learn more about the program and how to apply for a grant. First-time applicants are encouraged to attend. These […]
Seattle World School student reads poetry to practice English. Photo by Nancy Peterfreund. Jack Straw Productions, a multidisciplinary audio arts center in the University District, has been providing hands-on language and technology training to Vietnamese, Spanish and Amharic speaking youth at the Seattle World School, a public school for newcomers to the United States. With support from the Technology Matching Fund in 2011, Jack Straw implemented a new writing, performance, and technology project with Seattle […]
Seattle’s Tony Perez, Office of Cable Communications director, serves on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Committee for Diversity in the Digital Age. Tony shared with us some information from the Diversity Committee’s October 3, 2012 meeting. FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel commented on the importance of developing policies to increase women and minority representation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) jobs. According to the Commissioner, women currently occupy less than 25% and Hispanic/Latino and African Americans […]
The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) helps chronically homeless adults gain the skills they need in order to obtain and maintain employment, providing them with economic well-being, productivity and self-accomplishment. Case managers and volunteers work with each client to address issues holding them back, like chronic homelessness, no high school diploma, mental illness, disability, and/or chemical dependency. DESC also works with employers within the community, such as Metropolitan Improvement District and Princess Tours, who are […]
Ready to bookmark and load some exciting tools? Watch out for Which Bus, Living Voters Guide, Trash Backwards, Alike, Seattle Rainwatch, and Food Inspector! These new civic apps were chosen from twenty finalists in the first Evergreen Apps Challenge. Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine joined judges, developers and Conrad Saam of Urban Spoon at City Hall to celebrate the winners and award $75,000 in pizes. See more about the awards and contest. […]
Touchstones: A Walking Tour of Rainier Beach is a neighborhood project that reveals the history, heritage and people of one of Seattle’s most unique neighborhoods. The inaugural tour will take place during the Rainier Beach Art Walk on Saturday, September 15. Participants should gather at 11:00 a.m. at the Neighborcare Lobby at 9245 Rainier Avenue South for this free, docent led tour. Rainier Beach is frequently lauded as one of the nation’s most diverse places. […]
Councilmember Bruce Harrell and Tech Matching Fund grantees outside city hall before the grants were approved by the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. Mayor Mike McGinn and the City Council announced on July 23 that 23 community organizations will receive a total of $320,000 in Technology Matching Fund grants. The funds will increase computer and Internet training for our most vulnerable residents as well as help them with basic education, job training, and […]
The Department of Information Technology has awarded the 2012 Communities Online Boost Grant to 15 Seattle organizations. Funds of up to $1000 per organization were used to help enhance the use of online tools for community building and civic engagement. Congratulations to the following organizations awarded Boost Grants for 2012:… [ Keep reading ]