What
is Tech Goes Home?
Tech Goes Home (TGH) is an 11 year old, broadband education
program, recognized by the FCC’s National Broadband Plan for
excellence in broadband adoption programming as well as being
the recipient of Verizon's National Tech Savvy Award. In
collaboration with Mayor Menino, Boston Public Schools, the
Boston Center for Youth and Family Services, the Boston Public
Library, the Timothy Smith Network, and the Boston Housing
Association, TGH reaches thousands of Boston families and
citizens. The currnet TGH model was developed at the Lilla G
Frederick Pilot Middle School in the Grove Hall neighborhood of
Dorchester.
Why
is TGH Critical?
Many vulnerable populations, including children, non-english
speakers and seniors, lack the access, tools and training
required to fully realize the potential of technology.
Goals
of the School-Based TGH Program:
- To encourage parents and children to work together toward a
common goal
- To enhance the relationship between parents and teachers
- To help children improve their academic performance
- To help adults acquire 21st Century technology skills
- To empower children and adults to advocate for themselves and
their community
Goals
of the Community-Based TGH Program
- To
help provide technology access, training, and hardware to
members of the Boston community
- To
enhance the relationship between members of the community and
community institutions such as Community Centers, Housing
Associations, and Public Libraries
- To
help adults acquire 21st Century technology skills
- To
expose citizens to the many online resources offered by the City
of Boston and our many partners
- To
empower adults to advocate for themselves and their community
How Does it Work?
- Families and participants come to the school or community site
for 15 quality hours to learn new and exciting technology
skills.
- Areas of focus for the training sessions include using an
online office suite, effective communication techniques,
Internet resources for both students and families, job search
resources, and financial literacy.
- All those that complete the program may also be eligible for
significantly discounted Internet.
- Graduates may purchase a netbook at an incredibly low price.
- Non-English speaking participants receive a free subscription
to Rosetta Stone online.
- In the school-based model, a family member and student of the
school must attend all required training sessions together in
order to complete the program. The community-based model are
open to families and individuals.
- TGH@School is open to students in grades 5 and higher.
- All participants must be residents of Boston.