NOTE: This pilot concluded in 2021. On September 30, 2023 CETF transitioned the management of the San José Digital Inclusion Partnership back to the City of San José. For current San José programs visit SJ Access: www.sjpl.org/sjaccess/
SAN JOSÉ, CA — Today San José Mayor Sam Liccardo announced the launch of the Tech Support Helpline Pilot, a free support line to help San José Digital Inclusion Fund participants with their computers and internet access.
The Tech Support Helpline is the latest initiative of the San José Digital Inclusion Partnership, a collaboration between the City of San José, the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation (MOTI), and the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), which aids under-connected San Joséans in accessing internet connectivity, obtaining devices, and building digital literacy skills.
“The Tech Support Helpline is an example of a community-developed solution that will provide a new layer of resident assistance to further bridge the digital divide in San José,” said Mayor Liccardo. “By providing free technical support, the helpline will help prevent internet and computer pain points from becoming barriers to San Joséans’ digital access.”
Current Digital Inclusion Program participants can receive support in English or Spanish by calling the Tech Support Helpline. Support through the Helpline is provided by interns with San José Works, a youth employment initiative, who are trained to be Technology Support Specialists by volunteer mentors from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
“By providing free, convenient technical support, our SJ Works interns help program participants retain meaningful access to internet technology while building skills to become the next generation of San José innovators,” said Jordan Sun, Chief Innovation Officer. “We applaud SJ Works and our SJ Works interns, the IEEE mentors, and our partners at the California Emerging Technology Fund on their innovative ‘for San José, by San José’ vision.