Assistance

Source: sfgate.com Contra Costa Blog

The laptop didn't just fall from the sky. The laptop giveaway was organized by Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia, California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) president Sunne Wright McPeak and iFoster founder Reid Cox.

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Source: City on a Hill Press

A 65-foot flatbed truck filled with computers offering free Internet access to migrant laborers is one project among many aimed at promoting universal broadband access along the Central Coast. The group behind it is the Central Coast Broadband Consortium (CCBC), which aims to bridge the "digital divide" in Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties.

Source: Richmond Confidential

Richmond High graduate Bernard Naquin, 19, won't have to look too far to find a computer these days. The Contra Costa County teenager and Diablo Valley College student was awarded a brand new Dell laptop Monday morning at the Nevin Center. "I was surprised when they told me I was going to receive the computer," Naquin said. "Out of everyone in the county, they chose me. I didn't expect it."

Source: www.mercurynews.com

iFoster, a California-based advocacy nonprofit for foster children, has selected Contra Costa County to share in a three-year, $300,000 grant to expand access to computers and affordable Internet service to vulnerable youth.

In partnership with the California Emerging Technology Fund, led by former Contra Costa Supervisor Sunne Wright McPeak, the organizations this week launched the initiative and the county declared May Foster Care Month.

Source: www.sierrasun.com

"Broadband is a transforming technology that is essential to help foster youth build better lives," said Sunne Wright McPeak, president and CEO of CETF. "With this grant, children in foster care, emancipated youth and their families will benefit from access to affordable Internet service and computers. We support iFoster in finding innovative ways to help this community connect online with each other, and to public- and private-sector services."

The program uses a mobile computer lab and a center in Pico-Union to offer basic lessons in an effort to increase access for Latinos, 30% of whom don't use the Internet.

Source: Government Technology

Rural health-care providers will soon have their own broadband network for the practice of telemedicine in California, according to Christine Martin, executive director of the California Telemedicine & eHealth Center (CTEC).

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Source: San Jose Mercury News

TODAY, MOST people take having a computer and access to the Internet for granted. Public school teachers give out homework that their students' cannot possibly complete without a home computer. Students whose parents' can't afford a PC or the monthly cost of Internet service have to traipse to the public library (which is open fewer and fewer hours thanks to budget cuts) or to other public places that offer free broadband.

Source:  Oakland Tribune

Making high-speed Internet available to low-income households is the aim of a citywide effort that launches Thursday, officials announced. The Get Connected Oakland! initiative has scheduled its official launch Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Oakland Housing Authority, 935 Union St. Mayor Jean Quan, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley and Noel Gallo, president of the Oakland Unified School District, are expected to attend.\

Source:  Mercurynews.com

Geared toward people who don't have access to computers, "Get Connected Oakland!" will provide equipment and Internet access in communal places such as senior centers, recreation centers, schools and the Oakland Housing Authority, as well as in people's homes.

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