Description

"Digital skills are needed in almost every compartment of life nowadays. When families are looking for housing, employment, or services in the community, the best and easiest way is to use a computer and the internet. If you don't have those skills—if they were never taught to you—you don't know something until you know it."- Sophia Selasse

⏳ Key Moments

✅ 00:00:30– Framing the digital divide: Who gets left behind in a world that’s moved entirely online?

✅ 00:07:04– Why access to broadband alone is never enough—training is everything.

✅ 00:19:29– Kevin Cohen (Community Tech Network)on the rewards and challenges of teaching digital beginners from the ground up.

✅ 00:29:33– Jose Mutan’s story: (Raphael House) From digital isolation to securing stable housing for his family.

✅ 00:35:30 – Sophia Selassie (Raphael House) on the shelter’s holistic wraparound approach to tech access.

✅ 00:46:11– Carla Mays (Mays Civic Innovation) on systemic barriers to connectivity and capital access for unbanked populations.

 

Featured Organizations & Resources

• Community Tech Network – Bay Area nonprofit providing free digital literacy training for underserved communities. Volunteer: volunteer@ctnbayarea.org
• Raphael House – San Francisco’s largest family shelter, offering wraparound services including tech access, career development, and housing support.
• Mays Civic Innovation – Civic advisory firm focused on digital equity, financial inclusion, and community empowerment.

👥 Guests

🔹 Jose Mutan – A former Raphael House resident

🔹Kevin Cohen – Technology Trainer, Community Tech Network (CTN)

🔹Sophia Selasse – Career Development Manager, Raphael House.

🔹Cami Griffith – Executive Director, Community Tech Network.

🔹Carla Mays – Founder, Mays Civic Innovation.

Call to Action

• Share this episode to raise awareness about the digital divide in your community.
• Donate to support our mission and future episodes: voicesofthecommunity.com/donate
• Volunteer with Community Tech Network to help others gain digital skills: volunteer@ctnbayarea.org

Credits

Host: George Koster | Co-host & Producer: Eric Estrada | Design: Kasey Nance, Citron Studios

Broadcast Partners: KCSF, KSFP 102.5 FM (San Francisco), KPCA 103.3 FM (Petaluma)

Your voice matters.#VOCdigitaldivide

🎧Explore Our Award-Winning Special Series

If you enjoyed this episode, dive deeper into our 4-part legacy of impact:

• Where Art Meets Impact: How creativity drives systemic change. Season 1 and Season 2
• From Bankruptcy to Reinvention: The story of Stockton’s resilience. 
• COVID-19’s Impact Series: Navigating the pandemic's effect on our community.
• Making the Invisible Visible: Discover the untold stories of finding home.