California Connects, a three-year program, aims to increase digital literacy and Internet usage and adoption in California through training, access, and resources, with an emphasis on the Central Valley, where there is a high concentration of disconnected residents.

California Connects breaks down these barriers by increasing the awareness of public computing centers, educating new users about affordable broadband options, providing training in multiple languages, and educating users about how the internet affects their lives. This initiative aims to gain 61,120 new broadband users trained in digital literacy with 9,168 Californians becoming new broadband adopters.

Community Trainers

GVC is leading the Central Valley component of California Connects. We are responsible for the implementation of community trainers on the ground in 18 counties: Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Tuolumne and Yuba.

Community trainers conduct outreach and digital literacy training for Central Valley residents, with an emphasis on reaching the low-income Spanish speaking population. Trainers provide hands-on training in small-group,computer-lab settings, teaching trainees how to use the Internet for essential tasks such as securing gainful employment, exploring higher education opportunities, accessing health and finance resources, utilizing social networks, and more. Our focus is reaching populations for whom computer and internet use is still a challenge yet necessary to enhance their lifelong learning ability, improve their economic status and advance their quality of life.

Community trainer job opportunities available!

Great Valley Center seeks applicants for full time, bilingual trainers for the California Connects program in the counties of: Amador, El Dorado, and Nevada. View the job ad for more information. View the job ad for more information.

Community Partners

Additional community partnerships are still available!

The success of this program is dependent upon leveraging existing resources in the Valley and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. We are seeking community agencies, educational institutions and governmental organizations to partner with in this initiative. Partnership may consist of providing a location with computers for holding trainings, helping us reach targeted audiences or publicizing the digital literacy training opportunities. For more information download the Partner Fact Sheet (pdf) or contact Desiree Holden, at (209) 522-5103, ext. 136 or desiree@greatvalley.org.

Background

The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration for Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and administered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges in partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Great Valley Center.