First Connect Chicago Meetup Draws Array of Partners

Last Friday, more than two dozen people who provide technology access and digital skills training in the city gathered at the Chicago Community Trust for the inaugural Meetup of Connect Chicago.

Last Friday, more than two dozen people who provide technology access and digital skills training in the city gathered at the Chicago Community Trust for the inaugural Meetup of Connect Chicago.

Last Friday, more than two dozen people who provide technology access and digital skills training in the city gathered at the Chicago Community Trust for the inaugural Meetup of Connect Chicago.

Last Friday, more than two dozen people who provide technology access and digital skills training in the city gathered at the Chicago Community Trust for the inaugural Meetup of Connect Chicago.

For many attendees, Friday’s Meetup was their first chance to join with a group of their peers. Representing a wide geographic and demographic cross section of neighborhoods, and an array of types of service providers, attendees mingled and talked about their work, trials and, foremost, successes. For some, the Meetup was a refreshing confirmation of the importance of their work and an exciting chance to grow their programs.

Francesca Rodriguez of the City of Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology, kicked off the program by highlighting the city’s work in updating technology centers adoption and expanding digital skills training. Still, she said, the city relies on the great work already being pioneered at libraries, city colleges, public housing developments and community technology centers.

Showing off the new Connect Chicago website, Dan O’Neil, executive director of the Smart Chicago Collaborative, emphasized the value of open data. WeConnectChicago.org was designed by developer Derek Eder to be entirely open source: the code is free for anyone to view or reuse. O’Neil went on to explain that the Connect Chicago locations tool originated from the Public Technology Resources list from the City of Chicago open data portal—also open for anyone to download.

Snacking on Connect Chicago cookies, attendees received promotional materials and Connect Chicago flash drives, which will soon be offered at some Connect Chicago locations, allowing visitors to now save their work more efficiently.

At Connect Chicago, we’re excited by the potential of this group. We’re hearing incredible success stories about the work members have already done, and we look forward to collaborating as a group.

Want in? Join us at www.Meetup.com/ConnectChicago to stay in touch and find out about upcoming meetups.

For many attendees, Friday’s Meetup was their first chance to join with a group of their peers. Representing a wide geographic and demographic cross section of neighborhoods, and an array of types of service providers, attendees mingled and talked about their work, trials and, foremost, successes. For some, the Meetup was a refreshing confirmation of the importance of their work and an exciting chance to grow their programs.

Francesca Rodriguez of the City of Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology, kicked off the program by highlighting the city’s work in updating technology centers adoption and expanding digital skills training. Still, she said, the city relies on the great work already being pioneered at libraries, city colleges, public housing developments and community technology centers.

Showing off the new Connect Chicago website, Dan O’Neil, executive director of the Smart Chicago Collaborative, emphasized the value of open data. WeConnectChicago.org was designed by developer Derek Eder to be entirely open source: the code is free for anyone to view or reuse. O’Neil went on to explain that the Connect Chicago locations tool originated from the Public Technology Resources list from the City of Chicago open data portal—also open for anyone to download.

Snacking on Connect Chicago cookies, attendees received promotional materials and Connect Chicago flash drives, which will soon be offered at some Connect Chicago locations, allowing visitors to now save their work more efficiently.

At Connect Chicago, we’re excited by the potential of this group. We’re hearing incredible success stories about the work members have already done, and we look forward to collaborating as a group.

Want in? Join us at www.Meetup.com/ConnectChicago to stay in touch and find out about upcoming meetups.

For many attendees, Friday’s Meetup was their first chance to join with a group of their peers. Representing a wide geographic and demographic cross section of neighborhoods, and an array of types of service providers, attendees mingled and talked about their work, trials and, foremost, successes. For some, the Meetup was a refreshing confirmation of the importance of their work and an exciting chance to grow their programs.

Francesca Rodriguez of the City of Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology, kicked off the program by highlighting the city’s work in updating technology centers adoption and expanding digital skills training. Still, she said, the city relies on the great work already being pioneered at libraries, city colleges, public housing developments and community technology centers.

Showing off the new Connect Chicago website, Dan O’Neil, executive director of the Smart Chicago Collaborative, emphasized the value of open data. WeConnectChicago.org was designed by developer Derek Eder to be entirely open source: the code is free for anyone to view or reuse. O’Neil went on to explain that the Connect Chicago locations tool originated from the Public Technology Resources list from the City of Chicago open data portal—also open for anyone to download.

Snacking on Connect Chicago cookies, attendees received promotional materials and Connect Chicago flash drives, which will soon be offered at some Connect Chicago locations, allowing visitors to now save their work more efficiently.

At Connect Chicago, we’re excited by the potential of this group. We’re hearing incredible success stories about the work members have already done, and we look forward to collaborating as a group.

Want in? Join us at www.Meetup.com/ConnectChicago to stay in touch and find out about upcoming meetups.

For many attendees, Friday’s Meetup was their first chance to join with a group of their peers. Representing a wide geographic and demographic cross section of neighborhoods, and an array of types of service providers, attendees mingled and talked about their work, trials and, foremost, successes. For some, the Meetup was a refreshing confirmation of the importance of their work and an exciting chance to grow their programs.

Francesca Rodriguez of the City of Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology, kicked off the program by highlighting the city’s work in updating technology centers adoption and expanding digital skills training. Still, she said, the city relies on the great work already being pioneered at libraries, city colleges, public housing developments and community technology centers.

Showing off the new Connect Chicago website, Dan O’Neil, executive director of the Smart Chicago Collaborative, emphasized the value of open data. WeConnectChicago.org was designed by developer Derek Eder to be entirely open source: the code is free for anyone to view or reuse. O’Neil went on to explain that the Connect Chicago locations tool originated from the Public Technology Resources list from the City of Chicago open data portal—also open for anyone to download.

Snacking on Connect Chicago cookies, attendees received promotional materials and Connect Chicago flash drives, which will soon be offered at some Connect Chicago locations, allowing visitors to now save their work more efficiently.

At Connect Chicago, we’re excited by the potential of this group. We’re hearing incredible success stories about the work members have already done, and we look forward to collaborating as a group.

Want in? Join us at www.Meetup.com/ConnectChicago to stay in touch and find out about upcoming meetups.