1. BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN KANSAS CITY

2. Internet Benefits Low Income Families  Increased educational success at all levels  Online jobs search and career development  Access to social services and health information  Cost-saving advantages of online shopping  Search for vehicles and safe, affordable housing  Connect with family and friends  Assistance on the path to integration and citizenship

3. Reasons for Not Getting Online  #1 is Cost – Biggest expense is a owning a computer.  #2 is Intimidation – Not knowing how to use the PC and the Internet. Where do they go to learn these skills?  #3 is Relevancy – Not knowing what can be done online and how it applies to their lives.  #4 is Affordable Service – However, if people have overcome 1-3 they will find a way to get connected!

4. Digital Divide in Metro Kansas City  50% in Kansas City KS don’t have Internet in their homes. #7 least connected large city in America (2013 US Census)  80% of households in low income, minority neighborhoods do not own computers or have static Internet connections  70% of Kansas City Public Schools students have no Internet at home. 40% move during the school year.  78% of low income families reside in multi-family subsidized housing facilities

5. Four Pronged Solution  Inexpensive Refurbished Computer Equipment  Digital Life Skills Training  Free and Affordable Internet Connectivity  Public Access PC Labs/ Community Technology Centers

6. Computer Reuse vs. Recycling

7. Where Refurbished Computers are Going Since March 2013, CFG has produced over 2,000 refurbished computers. Most went to neighborhoods where just 1 in 5 households owned computers $75 desktops, $150 laptops

8. Free Digital Life Skills Classes  Email use  Search engine use  Health/medical info  Government services  Job applications  Social networking  Video watch/download  Online shopping  Banking online  Online Learning

9. Who Did We Reach with Free Classes? 2014: 2,106 students in 244 sessions at ten sites 25% never used a PC 75% over 50 years old 80% minorities 75% income <$20,000 yr. 2/3 women 1/2 child in their homes

10. Community Technology Centers Partnership with Kansas City Kansas Housing Authority provides 20-seat public access computer center open daily with free classes Goal: anchor centers throughout the city

11. Wireless Connectivity at Public Housing Wi-Fi mesh networks bring free in-home Internet to 500 families at three public housing and Section 8 facilities.

12. Opportunity of Multi-family Properties 78% of low income families in multi-family subsidized housing Free Internet access for them is yields the highest impact Must include training and affordable computers