Digital Skills and More at the TecHub

NEWS & UPDATES

March 2023

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Dear Friends,

March has been a busy month at Tech Exchange's TecHub. A series of digital skills classes, a live podcast interview, and a St. Patrick's Day device sale brought smiles to hundreds of our Oakland neighbors. With an equipment donation drive in Fremont and more events coming soon around the Bay Area, we're just getting started!

Tech Exchange’s new digital skills course at the TecHub had an overwhelming response. Thirty community members registered for the eight-hour, four-class series, which met on March 7, 9, 14, and 16, 2023 at our Oakland TecHub. Check out this Instagram reel and tap into the positive energy of the class!

Participants learned essential skills like setting up an email account, configuring basic computer settings, and exploring the internet safely. Thanks to our funders and supporters like you, every participant who completed the course received a high-quality Tech Exchange refurbished laptop, free of charge.

The TecHub staff includes Family Support Specialist Crecencio Ramirez (pictured R with a class participant), whose monthly video podcast brings a variety of topics to Mam-speaking viewers. On March 16, Crecencio discussed the digital divide in the Guatemalan and Mam communities with Executive Director Ulises Zatarain, along with Director

of Partnerships Samuel Aristondo and Community Programs Coordinator Linda Roman. The podcast also included Cinthia Diaz of #OaklandUndivided. Listen to the podcast recording online!

Oakland class participants in Tech Exchange's March 2023 Digital Skills course at the TecHub. Participants received eight hours of instruction, plus a high-quality refurbished computer with a one-year warranty, free of charge.
Tech Exchange's Oakland TecHub facility and programs are supported in part by grants from the Broadband Adoption Account of the California Advanced Services Fund, a program administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, and from #OaklandUndivided, the Gilead Foundation, and other generous donors.

Our community also had good luck at the TecHub's St. Patrick’s Day sale on March 17, 2023. Tech Exchange's already-affordable refurbished devices were available for 50% off, with a free gift with purchase. If you missed the sale, you can still drop by the TecHub or shop for Tech Exchange devices online at our eBay store.

Want to get more involved? Visit us in Fremont on March 25 as we co-host an equipment donation drive with Boy Scout Troop 379. Be on the lookout for invites to upcoming classes and outreach events, sign up as a volunteer to lend a hand at our activities throughout the Bay Area, become a monthly donor or make a one-time financial gift to keep our services free for the the community. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Statewide Digital Equity Advocacy

On March 1, Tech Exchange attended a public policy forum in Sacramento hosted by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF). Scott Adams, Deputy Director of Broadband and Digital Literacy at the California Department of Technology (pictured L to R with Ulises Zatarain) and other leaders discussed Digital Equity and BEAD Planning, the #BroadbandForAll Action Plan, and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Thank you to CETF for hosting this event and ensuring that community voice continues to be part of the State of California's digital equity conversation.

Support our Digital Skills Learners

Internships Update

A huge shout out goes to Tech Exchange's
MetWest Interns!
The team of six high school students have been working hard at our TecHub and warehouse, and were an essential part of the success of our recent digital skills classes.

Because of the contributions of our interns, we were able to pay close attention to all our students, ensure they had necessary equipment and materials during the class, and were provided with a refurbished computer at the end of the course.

Thank you Axcel, Derek, Guillermo, Kevin, Mario, and Milles!

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DO YOU NEED FREE OR LOW-COST COMPUTERS OR INTERNET SERVICE?

COMMUNITY EVENTS
Used Computer Equipment Donation Drive
with Boy Scout Troop 379
Saturday, March 25 2023 11am-3pm
4111 Alder Ave., Fremont CA

IN-PERSON
Tech Exchange TecHub
2530 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601
Tuesday - Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 pm
The TecHub will be closed March 31 and April 3-8, 2023.

CALL CENTER
Phone or text 510-866-2260
Email support@techexchange.org
Visit us at techexchange.org/visit-the-techub

SHOP OUR EBAY STORE