The Greenlining Institute Launches 'The Town Link'

In 2020, as workplaces and businesses shuttered due to COVID-19 lockdowns, we were reminded that internet access is a fundamental right. It showed us that the internet is no longer a luxury — rather it is a necessity for us to connect to friends and families, access government services, achieve economic security and to be a full member of today’s digital society. Despite the internet’s importance, the latest data shows that 94,000 Oakland residents lack internet access and are on the wrong side of the digital divide.

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There are many reasons for the digital divide, but several key barriers to internet connectivity include:  
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Affordability

The high cost of internet service limits access to high-speed home internet.

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Devices

Many families cannot afford reliable computing devices that have internet connectivity.

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Digital Literacy

Many of those in the digital divide are not comfortable with using a computer or going online.

To address these barriers, The Greenlining Institute, in collaboration with the City of Oakland, has developed The Town Link, a year-long program intended to:

  1. Build digital inclusion and digital literacy through trainings and educational programs, 
  2. Build awareness around free and affordable broadband plans, 
  3. Provide computers and tablets to residents that lack devices, and 
  4. Provide $100,000 in grants and technical assistance to 10 local organizations ($10,000 per organization) with the goal of increasing internet adoption and digital literacy in priority communities and neighborhoods.

What are Partner Responsibilities?

  1. Develop a campaign to build awareness around new and existing digital inclusion programs and resources such as the Emergency Broadband Benefit, OakWifi, LifeLine, free or low-cost broadband plans and digital skills-based workforce development programs. The campaign should effectively reach 150+ Oakland residents.
    • The Greenlining Institute and EveryoneOn will provide partner organizations and their staff with ongoing support that includes informational materials and training sessions that cover best practices for outreach, challenges with low-cost services, lessons from previous efforts as well as a comprehensive explanation of all programs and resources.
  2. Identify and recruit a cohort of 15 Oakland residents that have basic digital literacy needs and are interested in a guided course on how to navigate and use the internet.
    • The Greenlining Institute and partner organizations will connect this cohort to an online 4-6 week digital literacy training program provided by EveryoneOn. The Greenlining Institute will provide these 15 participants with laptops from The Tech Exchange. These devices come with a one year warranty and technical support. Participants in the digital literacy program will be able to keep these laptops at the conclusion of the program. Partners can request up to 10 additional devices to distribute to community members that need them but are not otherwise participating in the digital literacy program.
  3. Collect at least 100 survey responses from Oakland residents on their internet access needs and experiences.
  4. At the conclusion of the program, draft a short report describing the campaign, feedback from staff and participants and lessons for other organizations that may do this work in the future.

Who are Priority Community Members?

Priority community members and neighborhoods are those that are less likely to have broadband access. This includes:

  • Low-Income residents ($51,500 or less)
  • Unhoused Residents
  • Latino Residents
  • Re-entry populations
  • Immigrants and English second language residents
  • Senior Residents
  • Black Residents
  • Indigenous Residents

Oakland Equity Zones

For a closer view of this map, please use this link.

Oakland Equity Zones

For the adoption map, please use this link.

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Which Organizations are Eligible?

We are looking to create strategic partnerships with 10 community based organizations to assist in conducting outreach. These organizations can be, but are not limited to:

  • Community Health Organizations
  • Direct Services Organizations
  • Community Centers
  • Local Chambers of Commerce
  • Cultural Centers
  • Faith-Based Organizations

Any other local organizations that regularly work with priority community members.

Application and Program Timelines

July 6, 2021 The Town Link application is released.
July 6 - August 13, 2021 Applications are received and reviewed on a rolling basis. Non-winning applicants will be notified periodically. All applications are due by 11:59 AM PT on August 13th, 2021.
August - September 2021 Finalists are selected, interviewed, and asked to submit more detailed information on their project plans. This includes the implementation plan, proposed metrics, timelines, high-level budgets and action steps to achieve the deliverables.
September 2021 - October 2021 Grant agreements finalized and winning applications are announced.
October 2021 Partners begin work on their campaigns and project deliverables.
September 2022 Partners complete program deliverables.

For more detailed information on the program and application process, download and review the PDF form below.

 Application Packet

If your organization is interested in partnering, or if you know an organization that may be interested and would like more information, please contact De’Zhon Grace at dezhong@greenlining.org and Vinhcent Le at vinhcentl@greenlining.org.