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
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