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Empowerment Through Technology
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Greetings from the Executive Director
Valentine's Day may be long over, but it is not too late to show the community how much you care about digital inclusion. During this month, our goal is to raise $5,000 in support of Internet access and digital literacy. By making a donation to AFN you are helping retired seniors learn how to use Power Point for a part-time job or a bilingual parent learn how to fill out an online application for a job. In this new year, with changes across the country, it is critical that we keep breaking down digital barriers for those in need. Can you help us continue to give our clients the computer skills they need to attain their goals? You can make a donation today.
Last program year, Austin Free-Net achieved many milestones, thanks to your support:
621 Unduplicated Digital Literacy students
2,888 Access sessions offered
35,068 Total people served
46,216 Total Number of Open Lab Hours
We are proud of our accomplishments, but recognize that it takes volunteers, donors, community partners and a dedicated staff to make this happen.
With your support we can offer those with limited skills and education a new future for themselves and their families.
Thank you.
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AFN Awarded Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund Grant
At the end of January, AFN received a 2017 Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund Grant for its effort to combine gigabit technology and workforce training for adults.
Austin Free-Net will use the grant towards Accelerate, a new program curriculum that will prepare adults for a career in the technology field. The project will leverage gigabit connectivity to design an augmented reality tool that supports entry-level IT learning for adults.
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AFN Welcomes International Visitor
"I want to learn more about the people behind the data about digital inclusion. How is access and digital literacy helping people in the U.S.?"
Information Technology professor, Hiram Herrera from the Universidad Politécnica de Victoria, Mexico visited Austin Free-Net, February 13 - 16, to learn more about our nationally recognized digital literacy program.
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Save the Date! May 8-13, 2017
Celebrate Digital Inclusion Week, May 8-13, 2017! The week is an opportunity to raise awareness about digital inequities and nationwide efforts to close those gaps from California to the Carolinas. Throughout the week, organizations across the nation, including Austin Free-Net, will host digital inclusion events (i.e. trainings, device donation drives, etc.) and share digital stories that highlight specific inequities and the role digital inclusion providers play in meeting these needs.
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Pie and a Donation
What a great combination! At the end of December, we received a donation from Janet Forbes. Her employer's foundation, Arthur J. Gallagher, is also going to match the amount. Janet selected Austin Free-Net as her charitable non-profit during an employee fundraising campaign. It is the company tradition at the Austin insurance office to honor the person who raises the most with a pie in the face. Thank you Janet Forbes and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. for helping break down digital barriers in Austin.
Does your employer have a matching gift program?
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Education Innovation Showcase 2017
On February 23, Austin Free-Net was at
Capital Factory
participating in the 2017 Education Innovation Showcase hosted by Hive Austin and EdTech Austin. We had an opportunity to talk about a new curriculum we are developing utilizing augmented reality and gigabit technology thanks to the Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund. (picutured: Tianca Crocker, AFN NTen Fellow)
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Unemployed and recently released from prison, Kevin Benford came to Austin Free-Net in December to get assistance looking for a job in the transportation industry. A friend referred him to our free employment and digital services at the DeWitty Center.
When Kevin visited AFN, he had two goals. In the short term, he wanted to find a financially stable job that required a commercial driver's license and would help pay for housing. His future dream is to create an independent trucking business. He has already written an extensive business plan.
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Thank you to our 2016-2017 Supporters & Partners
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SXSW
Interactive Festival
March 10- 16, 2017
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SAVE THE DATE!
DIGITAL
INCLUSION
WEEK
May 8 - 13, 2017
Austin, TX
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