Oakland Technology Exchange West

OTX West is dedicated to eliminating the digital divide in Oakland, California. We seek to enhance educational opportunities and increase the accessibility of technology to low-income members of our community. OTX West recognizes the need for people of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to gain access to the digital word by owning a home computer and acquiring technological knowledge and skills in steps toward individual self-sufficiency and empowerment.The organization also employs an environmentally sustainable, re-use model by refurbishing donated personal computers and other technological equipment, and supplying them to new broadband subscribers that successfully complete our training class. We take proactive measures to directly confront persisting inequalities by teaching basic computer skills to parents and children and providing ongoing technical support free of charge.Since 1995, OTX West has been providing a GREEN, grassroots solution to addressing Oakland's digital divide.We believe that:transforming lives requires strategies that are developed in partnership with the community we serve, not developed outside the community in isolation.the Internet is a tool that can be used to help create equity for all residents of the East Bay.we can’t control all of the challenges in a child’s life, but we CAN constantly improve their access to information technology.when students have equal access to great resources, they are better positioned to succeed inside and outside of school.we must include the whole family, and indeed, the entire community in gaining access in order to effectively change outcomes.OTX West is dedicated to eliminating the digital divide in Oakland, California. We seek to enhance educational opportunities and increase the accessibility of technology to low-income members of our community. OTX West recognizes the need for people of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to gain access to the digital word by owning a home computer and acquiring technological knowledge and skills in steps toward individual self-sufficiency and empowerment.The organization also employs an environmentally sustainable, re-use model by refurbishing donated personal computers and other technological equipment, and supplying them to new broadband subscribers that successfully complete our training class. We take proactive measures to directly confront persisting inequalities by teaching basic computer skills to parents and children and providing ongoing technical support free of charge.OTX West is a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher.OTX West partners with educators and community advocates to provide Internet access solutions that create equity for ALL East Bay residents.OTXWest is Changing its Offering for Home Computers. In the past, we have offered a free home computer to any high school or middle school student who attends our three hour class with a parent.Our new offering will be a more targeted offering intended to close the digital divide in Oakland.Since 1995, OTX West has worked directly with Oakland Unified School District and community advocates to address Oakland’s digital divide.  During this time, our services have evolved to not only support schools and individuals, but also city and state organizations and local non-profits.  We partner at the grassroots level to identify families without broadband and computers at home and we walk them through the process of getting set up.  In addition, we consult with many of the schools throughout the OUSD network to provide customized products for classrooms and labs.  All of our computers are loaded with legally valid software.