Technology for All

Purpose:
Together with nonprofits and community organizations operating community technology centers (CTCs), Technology for All (TFA) empowers low-income and under-resourced communities through social enterprises using the tools of technology.

Description:
TFA and its local Houston affiliate, TFA-Houston, are both headquartered in Houston at Mission Milby. TFA-Houston works directly with over 190 community and faith based organizations and churches operating CTCs in low-income neighborhoods across the greater Houston area. TFA creates and operates social enterprises using technology to help solve community problems and empower the residents of those communities. As an example, TFA is developing TFA-JobTech, a social enterprise that provides document conversion and knowledge management services to business and industry. This business is expected to grow to employ
75-100 persons in livable wage document conversion jobs over the next two years in several low-income Houston neighborhoods. Some of these persons will work out of their homes through broadband Internet connectivity provided by TFA-Wireless. TFA-STARRS recycles and redeploys computers and other technology assets being replaced by individuals and corporations. Computers are placed in CTCs and with individuals through programs such as the Mouse in Every House program which places computers with families in homes built by Bay Area Habitat for Humanity.

Volunteer Roles:

» Wireless Installation Teams –
Teams of two or more persons with at least one adult to install wireless antennas for TFA-Wireless. Minimal experience required with supervision provided by TFA.

» Wireless Installation Coordinator –
TFA is looking for a person 21 or older who can be responsible to train and deploy wireless installation teams. Some project management experience with IT projects.

» Mouse in Every House Coordinator –
TFA redeploys computers into the homes built by Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. TFA is looking for someone to assist with coordination and training of new homeowners as well as assisting homeowners with installation of computers in their new homes.

» Business Development Assistance –
TFA is developing business relationships with corporations needing assistance in removing computers and destroying data files as well as companies needing conversion of documents from paper files to digital files. Introductions by CLUMC members to potential business relationships will help employ persons in low-income communities with livable wage jobs.

» Computer Refurbishment and
    Installation Volunteers–
From time to time, TFA refurbishes and installs large quantities of computers with community organizations in one day blitzes. Volunteers with and without technical skills are need for these workdays.

» Contacts:
Janet Horn, 713.666.9213, janhorn@swbell.net
Will Reed,713.654.6411, Will.Reed@techforall.org Technology For All - www.techforall.org
2220 Broadway, Houston, Texas 77012