Shannon landed in San Francisco from Zimbabwe in May of 2012.  He had no friends or relatives in the area, had never been to San Francisco, and had only seen the city on a television program and thought it seemed like a nice place to be.  Upon arriving, Shannon found himself utilizing the services at Glide Memorial Church.  After speaking with the staff there and expressing his desire to attain employment, Shannon was pointed in the direction of the Tenderloin Technology Lab (TTL), a partnership between San Francisco Network Ministries and the St. Anthony Foundation.

Shannon arrived at the TTL after searching for jobs door-to-door.  He quickly realized that he would need some computer skills in order to find employment.  After attending the orientation, Shannon took every TTL class that he could—Basic and Intermediate Computer Skills, Introduction to Micro-Labor, and many workshop classes.  He also worked closely with TTL volunteers to build his resume.  With his newly-crafted resume and developed computer skills, Shannon landed a job at a supermarket.  He says that the certificates earned in his courses helped him get the job.

But Shannon yearns for more.  Back in Zimbabwe he worked as an accountant, and he soon hopes to get back into that field.  He is currently enrolled in accounting classes at San Francisco City College.  Shannon says that his computer-based courses are less challenging because he has a strong foundation in computer skills from the TTL.  His story is a great example of the power of computers to transform someone’s life.  In six months, Shannon has built a strong foundation of skills, secured a stable job, and is working to continue his education and his career path. All of us at the TTL are very proud of Shannon’s work and wish him the best in the future.

Megan Trotter is the manager of the Tenderloin Technology Lab.

OneWebDay, the event held on Tuesday, September 22 where people worldwide show how the internet effects their lives, will have it’s own offering right here in San Francisco’s Tenderloin.

The Internet is becoming increasingly important to our guests and clients in obtaining employment, education, accessing health care, and staying connected to loved ones. The Tenderloin Tech Lab, a collaboration between St. Anthony’s and Network Ministries, gives those without personal access to the internet a place to learn, login and connect.

Low-income, homeless or marginally housed people wanting more information on the internet are invited to come down to St. Anthony’s on Tuesday, September 22 between 1-5pm to learn about internet safety and security.

Interested in volunteering for this event? Click here.

Employees of Google, the Silicon Valley internet giant, are crossing the chasm to help their Bay Area neighbors by hosting a Neighborhood Computer Help Day in San Francisco’s Tenderloin. On Thursday, June 11th, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Google employees will be volunteering to teach classes and do one-on-one tutoring with homeless and economically challenged participants of the Tenderloin Tech Lab, a collaboration between St. Anthony Foundation and Network Ministries. This is reflective of the trend that St. Anthony Foundation volunteer program is seeing, of more and more technologically savvy Bay Area residents reaching out to share their skills with the disenfranchised.

“Today’s economic crisis is running counterpoint to the technological crisis in areas like the Tenderloin, where the decreasing number of resources and services are forcing people to be more savvy about their survival. Technological access is proving to be the unlikely thread that is holding marginalized people together by connecting them to information, services, and each other,” noted Karl Robillard, Manager, of St. Anthony Foundation’s Employment Program & Technology Lab. “The interesting thing is that as the technological literacy of the poor and marginalized community is increasing, so is the interest in skilled technology volunteers, such as the employees of Google. This parallel reflects an unprecedented possibility of a narrowing technological chasm in the face of bleak economic times. That in and of itself is remarkable.”

ST. ANTHONY FOUNDATION

Since 1950 St. Anthony Foundation has addressed root causes of poverty with compassion. St. Anthony Foundation’s programs offer gateways to escaping poverty by addressing immediate needs such as hunger and clothing, as well as long term needs such as employment, drug and alcohol addiction, and physical and mental health. St. Anthony Foundation does not accept any federal, state, or local government money, and is entirely funded by private donations.

WHEN: Thursday, June 11th, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

WHAT: Google’s Technology Day in the Tenderloin

WHERE: Tenderloin Tech Lab, 150 Golden Gate Ave @ Leavenworth, 3rd Floor, San Francisco

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom dropped by the Tenderloin Tech Lab this morning to showcase his latest initiative: wireless internet coverage to 12 low-income housing projects in San Francisco’s Tenderloin.

The Tenderloin Tech Lab is a partnership with Network Ministries, and will offer computer classes and a drop in computer lab. The Employment Program portion of the tech lab offers a job search program to provide support and guidance for individuals and groups who need assistance finding employment.

Mayor Newsom and select members of the press were given a private “sneak preview” of the new Tech Lab and the rest of our new Green LEED Certified Building. The official unveiling to the public will take place on Friday, October 3.