Bridging COVID-19 Isolation and the Digital Divide with Bridging Tech
In 2021, it is nearly impossible to get anything done without a laptop: apply for a job, go to school, safely connect with friends, or schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Yet, there are fewer laptops in existence than humans on this planet, presenting a unique challenge for unhoused students. Not only are they disadvantaged in terms of their living situation, but also have to deal with this extra technological hurdle known as the digital divide.
Naturalized Americans have a unique set of familial and institutional knowledge about how to navigate the complex and confusing American system: What is an SAT? Who can I ask for help on my math homework? Where can I get free public Wi-Fi? While these questions might seem obvious to a second-generation resident, they are anything but for immigrant and first-generation communities. This week’s episode of Back in America, hosted by Podcast Editor Josh Wagner, highlights Bridging Tech, a charity devoted to providing hardware and other educational resources for unhoused students. Having donated nearly 1,000 laptops nationwide, Bridging Tech is developing infrastructure for companies and individuals to donate disused computers to be wiped/refurbished before being donated to unhoused communities. Founded by rising Stanford seniors, Isabel Wang and Margot Bellon, Bridging Tech is committed to listening to the unhoused community and creating actually helpful resources, rather than assuming what would be best and offering potentially unhelpful solutions. Holly Giang, Bridging Tech’s Foundation Relations Manager, also joins us for the interview.
To find out how unhoused youths can go to online school, what policy measures are holding back their success, and how to get involved with Bridging Tech, listen to our episode!
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In the coming weeks, the Back in America team will be launching an eight-part series investigating the relationship between music and poetry, tentatively titled “Rhythmic Verses.” Join Podcast Editor Josh Wagner as he poetically travels around the country, asking the age-old question: What is American to you?
Housing Assistance Series 2/2: Carol Golden - Housing Initiatives of Princeton - US Politics, Social Issues and Housing Situation
Housing Assistance Series 1/2: Louise Kekulah - From Liberia to Princeton
Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Price - Afghanistan, Counterterrorism, Seton Hall University... America will be (see episode note)
Cecilia Birge - Anti-Asian racism during the Pandemic - Growing-up in Chinese Labor Camp - Student on Tiananmen Square protests
Marina Ahun — A Princeton Painter — From the Collapse of the Soviet Union to The Hardship of COVID-19
Part 1 - Mark Charles - Native American 2020 candidate Asks does 'We The People' includes everybody?
Part 2 - Mark Charles - Native American 2020 candidate Wants 'We The People' to Mean 'All The people'
19 Year-Old Princeton Student: Being Black in the US is Like Suffocating
Update: A Native American Candidate to US Election - Subscribe to our Mailing list
John Michael Greer an American Druid on Americans Individualism, Societal Collapse, and the Values of the Frontier Period
Gil Lopez: Guerrilla Gardening in Queen, Resilient Communities and the Power of Radical Ideas
Share My Meals - Princeton Non-Profit Keeps Restaurants Open During the Pandemic to Feed Those in Need
Jessica Baxter - Princeton High School Principal - Adjusting to remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic
Richard Heinberg: on building resilient communities - transitioning away from fossil fuels - Coronavirus - Collapse (effondrement)
Ron Menapace - Homestead Princeton - From Pharma to business owner: Challenges and opportunities in America
Trailer - Back in America - A podcast questioning our understanding of America
Carole Jury - 'La femme de...' se réinvente aux Etats-Unis et devient artiste peintre | In French
Princeton University Janitor & Mailman Tommy Parker Talks of Reparations and Civil Rights
John Lam: Boston Ballet Principal Dancer a Gay Vietnamese-American Reflects on his life Leading to Coming out, Marrying and Having two Kids
Quick Up-Date: Gay, Dad & Principal Dancer Coming-up + Follow-up on Social Media
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