One Economy Blog

Program Graduation Highlight Teens’ Work to Connect Communities to Technology

On May 1, One Economy Corporation joined with community partners, funders, friends, family, and program alumni to honor Digital Connectors in San Francisco from the Mission, Visitacion Valley and Chinatown as they graduate from the program. The San Francisco’s Digital Connectors program identifies talented young people, immerses them in technology training, and helps them build their leadership and workplace skills to enter the new economy.  The youth then participate in community service opportunities in the areas of technology instruction, technical support, digital media, marketing, workforce readiness and leadership development. 

During the past 5 years, 160 young people have participated in the San Francisco Digital Connectors programs at four work sites: Heritage Homes, Britton Courts and Carter Terrace (in partnership with Mercy Housing), Valencia Gardens (in partnership with Mission Housing), and Chinatown (in partnership YWCA).  San Francisco Digital Connectors have spent more than 5,000 hours serving their communities, including providing 1800 families with technology training and installing eight computer labs. 

Daniel Carter: Finding Ways to Change for the Better

San Francisco, CA---High school Senior Daniel Carter is not afraid of change. Having grown up in Visitacion (Vis) Valley, a San Francisco neighborhood stricken with poverty and high crime rates, Carter has seen a fair share of violence.  However, he has found a way to better himself and his community.

Over a year and half ago, Carter joined San Francisco Vis Valley’s One Economy Digital Connectors program. The program gives young people technology training and helps them build leadership skills.

A major part of the Digital Connectors program is giving back to the community in which the youth live. Digital Connectors provide technology training and support to residents and community groups, help residents connect to computers and to the Internet, and teach others about the valuable information and tools on the web, including the Beehive (www.thebeehive.org), a multi-lingual self help website.

“This young man is indeed a ‘standout,’” said Javieree Pruitt-Hill, San Francisco Digital Connectors program coordinator who nominated Daniel for the King Bee of the Month award last year. “He has been a program coordinator’s dream. He does everything that is asked of him and has high expectations for the Digital Connectors program and for his community.”

Five days a week, Carter attends classes as a Senior in high school. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he attends evening classes at a local community college. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Carter works as a Digital Connector.

Despite his busy schedule, Carter manages to stand out. He made the African-American Honor Roll in the City of San Francisco last year. The City also acknowledged these achievements by having Carter participate in the Annual African-American Honor Roll Parade in 2008.

“It is a big achievement for our youth to make the Honor Roll,” said Pruitt-Hill. “But it is a bigger achievement when an African-American male receives that honor.”

After a year and half in the program Daniel Carter has earned an internship position at One Economy’s Access Team as the Sunnydale Network Tech. Leo Sosa, Regional Director of Youth Initiatives recommended Carter for the Position.

Due to Carter's leadership and deep knowledge of technology, he was awarded a full time position in February 2009, managing the Wireless Mesh Network installation process supported by One Economy's Access Team in partnership with AT&T and the San Francisco Housing Authority.