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Like all cities, Chattanooga faces a major digital divide characterized by a disparity in technical literacy, hardware adoption, and Internet access among its citizens based on income, race, and age.
As part of Mayor Andy Berke and Mayor Jim Coppinger’s retooling of The Enterprise Center, the organization has been tasked with developing programs to meet this challenge head on. Under the leadership of President of the Enterprise Center, Ken Hays, a committee of volunteers spent over a year researching digital inclusion initiatives implemented in cities across the country. Tech Goes Home (TGH), a program founded in Boston in 1999, quickly emerged as a proven and cost-effective program. Utilizing the structure and curriculum of TGH, tailored to the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area, Tech Goes Home Chattanooga (TGH CHA) offers programs for adults, school-aged children and preschoolers. The program provides 15 hours of digital skills training to help participants acquire the skills to be able to access information and resources online. Upon completion of the course, participants also have the option to purchase a new Chromebook for only $50. The program also offers assistance in securing low-cost home Internet service through one of several available options. |
Pictured: Velvet Hernandez-Johnson teaching our first TGH Online Spanish Course.
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Testimonials
Hear from Uzma Aaqib, who took our Tech Goes Home class for early childhood educators.
Check out an overview of what Tech Goes Home Chattanooga is about.
