Bridiging the Digital Divide

The Covid19 pandemic has shone a bright light on the digital inequity that existed for years in underserved communities. Even before the outbreak, Called To Serve has sought to address this issue in the Nicetown-Tioga community. Events such as the Hour of Code at Bethune and Kenderton elementary schools represent examples.

​Since the outbreak of Covid19 Called To Serve has been working with the Philly Community Wireless project to build community owned and operated mesh networks to address the issue of digital inequity in North Philadelphia. We have also has established a relationship with the Temple University Computer Recycling Center to provide recycled computers for community residents.  Reliable access to the internet and the devices to leverage that access are two key components of solving the digital inequity problem.  The recycled computer portion is in its infancy stage as we search for a home in the Nicetown-Tioga community.  Please email our executive director Jeff Harley if you are aware of 2,000 square feet of open space in the community. The Center for Urban Bioethics at the Lewis Katz Medical School of Temple University is a key partner in this endeavor.  We would like to thank Josh Klaris and Leroy Fisher at North 10 Philadelphia for providing a temporary home for our first delivery equipment that we received from a law office in center city after they closed.  Please contact us if you know of other companies in the region who wish to donate used computers. The TU Computer Recycling Center is also a partner in PHL Donate Tech.