PTI Equipment Drive
Donation protected
ATTENTION: We are also raising money via Venmo (@PTI-Funds). The number displayed on this page is not fully representative of our fundraising progress.
The Philadelphia Technology Initiative has the simple goal of combating digital inequality in the West Philadelphia community. For this fundraiser, we will be providing much needed digital equipment, such as headphones and webcams, to augment existing programs that provide internet access to disadvantaged children so that they can attend school, and also programs that help adult learners achieve their GEDs online.
The issue of digital inequality, often referred to as the digital divide, is one that is increasingly significant as technology becomes more and more central to our lives. This process, which was accelerated by COVID-19, has the potential to leave behind millions of Americans who lack access to modern day necessities such as high-speed broadband or a computer.
A recent study by BroadbandNow indicated that nationwide 42 million Americans do not have access to the internet. In Philadelphia specifically, over 27% of households do not have high speed internet - a figure that makes Philadelphia the city with the 3rd worst broadband penetration rate of the largest 25 cities in the United States.
The Digital Divide, however, refers to more than just access to the internet. The term refers to the intersection of limited internet access, lack of access to technological hardware and digital illiteracy. It is a combination of these factors that can profoundly affect the opportunities afforded to the digital have-nots as they become marginalized within the online, virtual society that we live in today.
In education, 70% of teachers nationwide assign homework that requires access to the internet and, following the Philadelphia School District’s decision to move schooling online in March due to coronavirus, attendance rates across the district fell over 30% - largely as a result of children being unable to access the internet. In the job market, the issues surrounding digital inequality are numerous. Over 80% of Fortune 500 companies require an online job application, effectively meaning that Americans who lack internet access are ineligible to work for many of the nation’s largest employers. What’s more, research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that over 50% of today’s jobs require some degree of digital literacy. This figure is likely to rise to 77% by the end of the decade, meaning the issue of digital illiteracy is only likely to become more significant in the future.
For this fundraiser, the Philadelphia Technology Initiative aims to combat that Digital Divide in West Philadelphia by providing much needed digital accessories, such as headphones and webcams, to existing programs that are working to alleviate digital inequality. The money we raise will go towards two programs specifically - one that is providing a safe space for the community’s most disadvantaged children to access the internet and go to school online, and another that is helping adult learners achieve their GEDs and gain crucial digital literacy skills.
Through providing 50 sets of headphones to West Philadelphia Access Centers, we hope to significantly improve the learning environment for the children who use them. The Access Centers typically host 15-20 children a day and provide them with a safe, internet enabled space in which they can attend school online. These children, all of whom have different academic timetables, are split between two rooms where they attend 5-7 hours of classes on Zoom per day. Currently, less than half of these students have headphones, a tool necessary for limiting distractions. Through a donation of just $15 dollars, you could sponsor the purchase of a set of headphones that will have a profound impact upon the quality of education for a child in one of these Access Centers.
The digital equipment that we will provide for adult learners will be just as impactful as it will directly enable these individuals to achieve their GEDs - a qualification that studies by the Bureau of Labor Statistics have found, on average, increases an individual’s yearly earnings by $10,000. As coronavirus has forced GED examinations online, many adult learners who are capable of attaining their GED are unable to do so because online GED examinations require candidates to have a webcam on during their test. Thus, through a $35 donation, you will not only be providing a valuable piece of equipment for the digital age, but also facilitating an adult learner to achieve their GED. The fact that the unemployment rate among holders of high-school diplomas is 2% lower than that of high-school dropouts is ample evidence of the long term significance that such a donation could have.
The issues of digital inequality are numerous and extremely significant, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Even a small donation, however, can have a huge impact on an individual’s ability to take part to their fullest potential in a digital society. To all those who donate, we thank you in advance for your assistance and generosity.
The Philadelphia Technology Initiative has the simple goal of combating digital inequality in the West Philadelphia community. For this fundraiser, we will be providing much needed digital equipment, such as headphones and webcams, to augment existing programs that provide internet access to disadvantaged children so that they can attend school, and also programs that help adult learners achieve their GEDs online.
The issue of digital inequality, often referred to as the digital divide, is one that is increasingly significant as technology becomes more and more central to our lives. This process, which was accelerated by COVID-19, has the potential to leave behind millions of Americans who lack access to modern day necessities such as high-speed broadband or a computer.
A recent study by BroadbandNow indicated that nationwide 42 million Americans do not have access to the internet. In Philadelphia specifically, over 27% of households do not have high speed internet - a figure that makes Philadelphia the city with the 3rd worst broadband penetration rate of the largest 25 cities in the United States.
The Digital Divide, however, refers to more than just access to the internet. The term refers to the intersection of limited internet access, lack of access to technological hardware and digital illiteracy. It is a combination of these factors that can profoundly affect the opportunities afforded to the digital have-nots as they become marginalized within the online, virtual society that we live in today.
In education, 70% of teachers nationwide assign homework that requires access to the internet and, following the Philadelphia School District’s decision to move schooling online in March due to coronavirus, attendance rates across the district fell over 30% - largely as a result of children being unable to access the internet. In the job market, the issues surrounding digital inequality are numerous. Over 80% of Fortune 500 companies require an online job application, effectively meaning that Americans who lack internet access are ineligible to work for many of the nation’s largest employers. What’s more, research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that over 50% of today’s jobs require some degree of digital literacy. This figure is likely to rise to 77% by the end of the decade, meaning the issue of digital illiteracy is only likely to become more significant in the future.
For this fundraiser, the Philadelphia Technology Initiative aims to combat that Digital Divide in West Philadelphia by providing much needed digital accessories, such as headphones and webcams, to existing programs that are working to alleviate digital inequality. The money we raise will go towards two programs specifically - one that is providing a safe space for the community’s most disadvantaged children to access the internet and go to school online, and another that is helping adult learners achieve their GEDs and gain crucial digital literacy skills.
Through providing 50 sets of headphones to West Philadelphia Access Centers, we hope to significantly improve the learning environment for the children who use them. The Access Centers typically host 15-20 children a day and provide them with a safe, internet enabled space in which they can attend school online. These children, all of whom have different academic timetables, are split between two rooms where they attend 5-7 hours of classes on Zoom per day. Currently, less than half of these students have headphones, a tool necessary for limiting distractions. Through a donation of just $15 dollars, you could sponsor the purchase of a set of headphones that will have a profound impact upon the quality of education for a child in one of these Access Centers.
The digital equipment that we will provide for adult learners will be just as impactful as it will directly enable these individuals to achieve their GEDs - a qualification that studies by the Bureau of Labor Statistics have found, on average, increases an individual’s yearly earnings by $10,000. As coronavirus has forced GED examinations online, many adult learners who are capable of attaining their GED are unable to do so because online GED examinations require candidates to have a webcam on during their test. Thus, through a $35 donation, you will not only be providing a valuable piece of equipment for the digital age, but also facilitating an adult learner to achieve their GED. The fact that the unemployment rate among holders of high-school diplomas is 2% lower than that of high-school dropouts is ample evidence of the long term significance that such a donation could have.
The issues of digital inequality are numerous and extremely significant, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Even a small donation, however, can have a huge impact on an individual’s ability to take part to their fullest potential in a digital society. To all those who donate, we thank you in advance for your assistance and generosity.
Fundraising team (3)
Sam Lindner
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
Dan Rohll
Team member
Gezani Artis
Team member
