Tech literacy refers to a person’s ability to use the technology needed to do their work with comfort and ease. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been forced to shift to remote working and video meetings that require some tech literacy skills. There are many benefits to this such as job satisfaction, better use of data, and overall a less rigid schedule. Yet, people experiencing houselessness may not have access to the technology needed to grow these skills. Given the existing hardships and disadvantages in the job market, learning tech literacy skills would help increase the amount and types of jobs this population can apply for. This can also be applied to any population that struggles with tech literacy skills such as people from low income areas, older adults, and those re-entering into society. While growing in tech literacy cannot break down every barrier, having basic tech literacy skills brings us one step closer to an inclusive job market.
Originally founded in Baltimore, ECHO is forming a long-term partnership with TechUp to bring this service to the city of Los Angeles to combat digital inequities. ECHO members can sign up as volunteers to host weekly workshops at temporary housing shelters, community resource centers, and supportive housing sites to teach people who are currently unhoused or were previously unhoused about essential smartphone and computer skills.
You could check out more information about TechUp’s work at Baltimore on their website. Our current list of partners in the LA area include LA Family Housing, Weingart Center, Union Station Homeless Services, and County of Los Angeles Homeless Initiative. Check out our reaction to the media release by LA County to provide affordable home internet to families in need!
Sign up form is now active! If you wish to join the Techup team, please sign up with this google form. Our target start dates for sites would be Week 1 of Spring quarter. Currently, we are running a trial 4 week-long workshops at our LA sites. We are hoping to transition into 6-week-long workshops in the future.