3 years ago San Francisco Network Ministries and the St. Anthony Foundation collaborated to create the Tenderloin Technology Lab. Utilizing the resources that both organizations were using at their respective computer labs, San Francisco Network Ministries and the St. Anthony Foundation were able to lay the groundwork for the Tenderloin Technology Lab as it is today. After many changes and upgrades, the Tenderloin Technology Lab is glad to serve around 100 people a day, operate 35 computers, offer daily computer classes, and have a bustling drop-in lab. This year the Tech Lab decided to ring in their anniversary with a Halloween themed party. Awards were given to best DJ, best party caterer, and the guests who have been with the Tech Lab from the beginning. A great time was had by all and we look forward to many more years.

The Tech Lab is excited about our upcoming Tech Fair on August 27th.  On this 4th Saturday in August from 10am to 2pm the Tech Lab will be offering free computer repair thanks to Reliatech.  In addition to the computer repair, classes will be offered on “Raising Kids in the Digital Age” (10:00am), “Internet Safety and Security” (11:00am), and “What to Look for When Purchasing a Computer” (12:00pm).  Please register for these classes or for computer repair by calling the front desk at (415) 592-2766.  We look forward to a fun and productive day.  Hope to see you all there.

Have you ever tried to explain why a website crashed to someone who is terrified of touching a computer?  Or maybe you want to know how Facebook and Twitter emerged as the tipping points in toppling the regime of the former President of Egypt?  If you ever ask yourself these questions or wonder how social media (like Facebook and Twitter) can change our world, you might have found some answers at St. Anthonyís symposium, Social Change 3.0:  Transforming the world one click at a time.

Roughly 140 people, representing a diverse group of nonprofits, businesses, and venture capitalists, convened at The Hub on Mission Street last Tuesday to be regaled by stories, facts, and anecdotes from experts in social media who use these tools every day to create positive change in our world.

Our panelists shared myriad examples of ways we are changing the world every day: Jake Levitas, Research Director at the Gray Area Foundation, opened the evening with a sharp perspective on how social media can influence our democratic process. “Our current model of democracy is thousands of years in the making. Today we’re in a modality of instant change.”

Megan Trotter, Manager of the Tenderloin Technology Lab, highlighted the importance of digital inclusion within the arc of innovation. “Technology is important, but equally important is the human contact needed to help people learn how to use it.” (more…)

Every year, the Tech Lab has the honor of supporting a Jesuit Volunteer.  ”Jesuit Volunteers are called to the mission of serving the poor directly. They work for and with people who are homeless, unemployed, refugees, people with AIDS, the elderly, street youth, abused women and children, the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled” (JVC).  For the past year, the Tech Lab has been honored to have Jesuit Volunteer, Julie Arcaro, work with us.

Julie has been a vital asset to the Tech Lab.  Through her work teaching classes, preparing class schedules, coordinating volunteers, and providing support wherever needed; Julie has played a major role in the day to day functioning of the Tech Lab.  Her humor, light personality, and work ethic will be missed in the Tech Lab.  Please take the time to wish Julie the best of luck as she moves on from the Tech Lab in the following month.

St. Anthony’s and San Francisco Network Ministries founded the Tenderloin Tech Lab together because both organizations were seeing ever more people who needed to learn basic computer skills and help with finding a job. St. Anthony’s was moving into our new building and Network Ministries agreed to move part of their program in with us. We thought we could handle more people better if we worked in the same physical space.

Our guests are working hard to catch up with the information revolution.

We expected that, together, we’d serve 30% more guests in the new Tech Lab by sharing staff and space. Today, we’re serving 234% more guests. When the library closes early, our waiting area fills.People need computers to find work, apply for work, learn new skills, get benefits, and reconnect with family and friends. Give a person a free, hot meal and you feed them for a day. Teach a person how to use a computer and you feed them for a lifetime.

The Tenderloin Technology Lab in collaboration with their new intern, Antonio Renteria, and the St. Anthony Foundation Social Work Center will be beginning a new series of workshops that are focused on encouraging our guests to become more self-sufficient. These workshops will focus on finding housing, medical/dental, and mental health resources online. The three classes are running on Monday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm starting July 11th. We are all excited about the prospect of expanding the possibilities in the Tech Lab to improve the lives of our guests by giving them access to the internet “help buttons” that can help alleviate  some of their issues.

Our dear volunteer and USF student, and now alumnus graduated on Friday from the University of San Francisco. Toby can lay claim to helping in the computer switchover when the lab upgraded to new machines in March. He also spearheaded an advanced level class in Lynux operating systems.

Toby’s parents came to America for the first time every to witness Toby’s special day. Ryan, Chris, and former TTL volunteer and USF graduate, Shir was also their to lend their support.

Over the weekend the Tenderloin Tech Lab had individuals from Reliatech in to help clients with their computer issues. This is the only event the Tenderloin Tech Lab hosts where computer maintenance is performed. In addition to maintenance, four different classes were offered. 30 computers were examined, 20 of which were fixed, and over 35 individuals took part in one of the four classes offered.

This past Thursday, volunteers from Stone & Youngberg came to the Tenderloin Tech Lab to help out clients with some basic as well as advanced computer functions. The volunteers were also there to give advice to clients who were actively seeking employment – giving pointers on interviewing techniques, networking, and advancing the careers of those individuals already employed. All said and done there were about 20 clients who were there for assistance pair with 10 volunteers. A great turnout for a great event!