Connect Chicago

Smart Chicago runs the Connect Chicago website, a listing of more than 250 places in Chicago where you can use a computer for free, and the Connect Chicago meetup group, which is devoted to creating a culture of shared learning in these places.

Announcing the February Connect Chicago Meetup: Business Skills Meet Digital Skills

Denise Linn

At the next Connect Chicago Meetup, we’ll be exploring cases in blending business and entrepreneurial skill development with digital skills instruction. We’ll be highlighting programming from Greater Southwest Development Corporation as well as Alliance Labs.

Event: Connect Chicago Meetup

Date: Friday, February 24, 2017

Time: 11am – 1pm

Place: Chicago Community Trust — 225 N Michigan Ave.

The Greater Southwest Development Corporation produces the TECH THURSDAYS Chicago workshop series with a collection of local partners. Participation in TECH THURSDAYS Chicago is free to Chicagoland business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, nonprofit organizations and their management teams. According to their website:

Following the September 2016 conference, TECH THURSDAYS 2016 continues with weekly and monthly business technology training sessions held in participating communities across the city through August 2017. Information regarding business development activities and opportunities is distributed to our members via email and available to the general public through our blog, Forum, MeetUp and LinkedIn Group.

You can read about our second guest, Alliance Labs, in this recent Built In Chicago article. They’ve adopted an apprenticeship model to mentor young people in digital communications. According to their website:

The school at The Alliance Labs is committed to creating opportunities for Chicago’s dedicated and talented youth who have overcome adversity and aspire to greatness and leadership through careers in technology. These future workers are given real-world employable skills that are practiced, challenged and perfected through the work our digital agency does for our valued clients.

Come meet and network with computer trainers, nonprofit professionals,  technologists, community advocates, and fellow residents who care about digital access & skills in Chicago. Please RSVP so we can get an accurate count for lunch. Thank you!

Here’s more information about these programs:

  • You can read about Alliance Lab’s work and model here in this Built in Chicago article.
  • Take a look at the presentations from recent TECH THURSDAY Chicago workshops.

Special Speakers at this Meetup include:

  • Tina James of the Greater Southwest Development Corporation
  • Andrew Hicks and Jon Schickedanz from The Alliance Labs

The Connect Chicago Meetup is a monthly gathering of computer trainers, nonprofit professionals, and fellow residents who care about the digital lives of Chicagoans. In 2017, some will be held downtown and some will be held at community learning & nonprofit sites across the city. Email Denise Linn, Program Analyst at Smart Chicago, with any questions, concerns or ideas for future Meetups: [email protected]

 

January Connect Chicago DigiSeniors Community Call

Denise Linn

It has been over 6 months since the release of DigiSeniors out of Microsoft Chicago. In that time, the program has achieved several milestones including 50+ trainers trained across Chicago as well as new partnerships with city agencies.

In January, Connect Chicago held a community conference call to let trainers trained in the DigiSeniors curriculum come together to voice their experiences, ask questions, and  provide input on the curriculum. Other digital inclusion workers and advocates also joined to learn more about DigiSeniors and strategize how the training can be spread and implemented. Representatives from Microsoft Chicago gave background on the program, why they started this work, and where they hope it to go in 2017 with the help of the entire digital inclusion ecosystem. 

Here are the notes from the conversation. Below is a recording of the community call.

Connect Chicago seeks to identify gaps in our digital inclusion ecosystem and support new interventions to meet those identified needs. Seniors remain an underserved a less connected, underserved portion of our population. Project like this one are a good first step in filling those identified gaps and sharing new resources across the city for different service providers to incorporate into their work.

Thank you to Microsoft Chicago for helping facilitate this Connect Chicago Community conversation. If you have questions about the Connect Chicago Community and our regular Meetup convening digital inclusion practitioners across the city, email Program Analyst Denise Linn at [email protected].

 

Digital Inclusion Innovation in Chicago: Wi-Fi at Windsor Park

Denise Linn

Windsor Park Lutheran Evangelical Church in Chicago’s South Shore is the home of a collaborative, community-based connectivity initiative. Along with Leave No Veteran Behind, Cambium Networks, and a neighboring local restaurant, the Church set up a Wi-Fi network —  something to power job searches, homework, and communication even when libraries and computer centers are closed.

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I had the opportunity to visit the project in November and invited other members of the Connect Chicago Meetup to join me. I’ve had my eye on this initiative, not only because it was hosted in a faith community, but also because of its smart combination of partners: an anchor institution, a training nonprofit, an equipment donor (Cambium Networks), and a broadband provider (American Wide Broadband). During our visit we met with the champions that pieced together their strengths and expertise to make this work happen: Ray Savich of Cambium Networks, Kitty Kurth a consultant assisting with the project, Alvyn Walker of Leave no Veteran Behind, and Will Williamson of Windsor Park Lutheran Church.

Rural Solutions in City Neighborhoods

One obstacle that the group met when advocating for the project was the attitude that free Wi-Fi was plentiful in all parts of an urban area. “Why don’t people just go to Starbucks?” was a common question they encountered. Of course, you can’t see a Starbucks in every other block of South Shore as you do in other Chicago neighborhoods or in the Loop. Plentiful public or semi-public Wi-Fi is simply not there and, despite being in one of the largest cities in the U.S., the South Shore’s public connectivity lagged behind.

The solution implemented by partners was a fixed wireless network, powered by an antenna placed on the steeple of Windsor Park Evangelical Lutheran Church. Fixed wireless connections, Ray Savich of Cambium pointed out during our tour, are more commonly seen as a connectivity solution in rural areas. In this case, it also suited the needs of the South Shore community.

The network has been used by the church itself, supporting summer programming and community food pantry operations. Community programs supporting veterans and seniors have also utilized the connected space. Alvyn Walker of Leave No Veteran Behind described the reentry process for Veterans, sometimes additionally complicated when online resources are hard to access. Job training and searching, accessing medical services, signing up for public benefits, and navigating bureaucracy is that much harder without the Internet and digital literacy, he explained.

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The Compelling Partnership Equation

This project’s model is one to watch and potentially replicate in neighborhoods with similar challenges and community assets. There were complementary partners with different resources, but a common mission:

  • An Internet service provider (ISP), American Wide Broadband
  • An equipment provider, Cambium Networks
  • A consultant or project manager, Kurth Lampe Worldwide
  • A community anchor institution willing to partner with outside programs, Windsor Park Lutheran Evangelical Church
  • A training partner, Leave No Veteran Behind
  • A neighborhood champion for digital inclusion, Will Williamson

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As with many neighborhoods and cities, churches and other communities of faith play an important center of gravity for civic life. Voting, charity work, training, and language programs (just to name a few) are housed in these spaces and fueled by the volunteers and community networks that the buildings host. It is almost natural that such a place could be the great home for a hyper local connectivity solution as well.

Here are more pictures from Windsor Park:
Windsor Park Lutheran Church November 2016

If you’re interested in this model for community connectivity or would like to help host and plan an event about public Wi-Fi in Chicago, email [email protected].

October Connect Chicago Meetup Recap: Refurbished Devices

Denise Linn

The digital divide in Chicago is not just about Internet access and access to digital learning opportunities. It’s also about hardware. Not every Chicagoan or Chicago household has the tools it needs to succeed in the digital age, even if the question of Internet access is in place.

Here is one piece of a longer infographic we published recently:

devices

Some of Chicago’s households don’t have computing devices or, if they do, they rely exclusively on handheld devices. Imagine relying on a phone to apply to college, apply for jobs, or create content. A recent piece from Shorenstein also points out that mobile devices hold residents back when it comes to civic information and news consumption.

Device lending programs get computers into the hands of students and households who might not have had them before. Computer refurbishing programs also insert lower cost devices into our ecosystem and can help narrow technology access divides. Programs like PC Rebuilders & Refurbishers (PCRR) and FreeGeek Chicago take donated, used devices, refurbish them, and sell them for discounted rates. This can be an easier way for individuals and even institutions to get the hardware they need.

At our last Connect Chicago Meetup we explored these programs and also learned about how to buy refurbished devices — what certifications to look for, prices and quality to expect, and the overall benefits. Sarah Cade from PCRR led the discussion and created resources for digital inclusion practitioners and trainers across Chicago.

Here is Sarah’s presentation:

Sarah also shared PCRR’s “What Device is Right for You?” guide to help people just starting to invest in personal devices and technology.

All of the resources that Sarah has created will be incorporated onto the new Connect Chicago website, a page aggregating information on digital inclusion resources, stories, and programs in Chicago.

At the Meetup we learned that, in addition to churning refurbished devices for people and nonprofits, PCRR also tries to be inclusive in its employment and training. At the Meetup, we learned that about half of PCRR employees are ex-offenders.  

 

Below are pictures from the Connect Chicago Meetup:

Connect Chicago Meetup Oct 28, 2016: Computer Refurbishing in Chicago

More Connect Chicago Meetup resources:

  • The main Meetup presentation
  • The Connect Chicago Meetup Google Folder (with all notes & presentations from all Meetups):
  • The Connect Chicago website where you can find more digital inclusion tools and resources:
  • The City of Chicago’s Computer Recycling Facility Overview

Here is a video of the entire Meetup:

Thank you to all who joined us for this important conversation! The digital inclusion field in Chicago is a vibrant group of advocates and practitioners. We learn so much and leverage more resources when we work together. To join the Connect Chicago Meetup community, go to our Meetup page.

An Infographic on Computers & Internet Access in Chicago from 2013 – 2015

Denise Linn

What is the state of at-home computer and broadband adoption in Chicago? We analyzed the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) data so we can begin to understand the state of digital inclusion in Chicago:

The information above points to some staggering truths about information access in our city. Over 220,ooo households (about 1 in 5) still do not have access to the Internet in 2015, whether because of the monthly cost, skill barriers, or relevancy barriers. In 2015, some Chicago households were smart phone-dependent — a situation that no doubt makes activities like applying for jobs or completing homework quite difficult. Also, seniors, minority populations, and residents with lower educational attainment are more likely to be a the wrong side of this divide.

Recently, the City of Chicago wrote comments to the federal government regarding a new Broadband Research Agenda. The City recommended how federal data sources and agencies can make it easier for municipalities to evaluate their connectivity issues on the neighborhood level and make smarter investments to diagnose and fill local gaps.  This work is essential, given the fact that we know that city-level averages from the ACS for computer ownership and household Internet access are not enough to shine light on gaps and divides within Chicago.

Over the next several months we will release more writing and research on the state of digital inclusion in Chicago. You can follow our work on this blog and on the Smart Chicago Twitter account. You can also join our community of digital inclusion practitioners and advocates at Connect Chicago Meetups. Our next Meetup will be on Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Chicago Community Trust.  You can get more details on the event and RSVP here.

Note: You can see an older version of the infographic above in this blog post.

Announcing the October Connect Chicago Meetup: Computer Refurbishing in Chicago

Denise Linn

At the next Connect Chicago Meetup, we’ll learn about computer refurbishing programs in Chicago. Refurbishing programs produce discounted devices (laptops, PCs, tablets) for organizations and individuals, often incorporating technology training and professional development in the refurbishing process. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP here and include your full name so we can register you with building security.

Event: Computer Refurbishing in Chicago

Date: Friday, October 28, 2016

Time: 11am – 1pm

Place: Chicago Community Trust — 225 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago is home to several computer refurbishing programs. At our Meetup we’ll feature the work of PC Rebuilders & Recyclers (PCRR) and have a discussion about device availability. Our special guest speaker for this event will be Sarah Cade of PCRR. More about PCRR: 

Founded in 2000, PC Rebuilders & Recyclers (PCRR) has a two-fold purpose of bridging the digital divide and supporting environmental responsibility through the refreshment of prematurely retired computer systems.  In doing so, we provide a responsible way for corporations to dispose of their unwanted equipment as well as an inexpensive way for anyone to invest in technology.

Come meet and network with computer trainers, nonprofit professionals,  technologists, and fellow residents who care about digital access & skills in Chicago. 

This summer I had the opportunity to meet Sarah and tour the PCRR space. It was fascinating to see the process and hard work behind computer refurbishing and recycling. Accessible free and discounted devices are an important ingredient to an equitable technology ecosystem. At this Meetup we will not only learn more about this work, but also  strategize as a community how to strengthen ties between trainers and device refurbishers. Join us!

Another notable refurbishing program in Chicago is FreeGeek, a not-for-profit community organization that recycles used computers and parts to provide functional computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those who want them. Check out their website for open shop hours, training opportunities, and volunteer opportunities.

About the Connect Chicago Meetup. The Connect Chicago Meetup is a monthly gathering of computer trainers, nonprofit professionals, and fellow residents who care about the digital lives of Chicagoans. Email me with any questions, concerns or ideas: