Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Google Gives $250,000 to Tech Education for Needy Communities – Mashable – 30 Nov 2010

Google has just pledged $250,000 to iGotITtoo, an organization that brings technology training and other tools to underserved communities, that will allow the charity to expand across New York City.
The organization was founded in 2007, and its name stands for “I’ve got information technology, too.” It currently operates in Brooklyn, where community members were attempting to make sure everyone in the area had access to technological tools — tools that can sometimes make a huge difference in access to services and quality of life.
The two iGotITtoo co-founders began teaching community center computer classes to address this need; their efforts were met by a growing demand, and iGotITtoo now boasts a staff of 30 volunteers teaching two to three classes and labs per week at each of the organization’s three locations in Brooklyn.
CEO Santana Kenner said in a statement on Tuesday, “It is our mission to end digital inequality by building communities’ capacities to leverage technology to improve educational and economic opportunities — a pattern which affects social capital in both the physical and digital domains.” iGotITtoo is planning a citywide launch in 2011.
Do you think more cities and neighborhoods could use programs like this one? Let us know what you think of Google’s grant and of iGotITtoo’s programs in the comments.

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