iGotITtoo, New York City Technology Non-Profit Awarded $250,000 by Google, Inc. to Expand Successful Program Across the City

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- iGotITtoo, a non-profit organization working to empower underserved communities by providing training in fundamental computer skills and education regarding social services, announces today that the Google, Inc. Charitable Giving Fund of the Tides Foundation has generously awarded them a gift of $250,000 to expand their work across New York City. iGotITtoo (short for "I've Got Information Technology too") uses a unique approach of delivering customized IT instruction through trained volunteers, paired with community outreach conducted by social workers, has enabled the organization to successfully reach 200 residents in Brooklyn during the pilot phase.

The vision for iGotITtoo was birthed in 2007 when Santana Kenner, iGotITtoo's Chief Executive Officer, and Clare Chiesa, iGotITtoo's Chief Operating Officer, piloted a computer class in the community center of the Lafayette Gardens Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, in response to requests from community members to help bridge the technological divide between the "haves"--those comfortable with using IT and the "have-nots"- those without fundamental IT skills. The trial class was met with such demand that in one year the organization has grown to three Brooklyn locations with a force of 30 plus dedicated volunteers.

The Google gift will be instrumental in expanding iGotITtoo's successful programming to multiple sites across the city.  "We are looking forward, with great optimism, to being able to advance your great work and ours through this grant recommendation," said David Goodman (Senior Analyst, Google Market Intelligence), Jay Boren (Philanthropic Affairs, Google.org) and Aya Okuma (Philanthropic Affairs, Google.org) on behalf of Google's Corporate Giving Council.

Chiesa expressed, "We are grateful and honored by this partnership. This gift will provide life-changing experiences for the communities served by iGotITtoo. We see this as an opportunity to reach individuals who desire technology learning and support – regardless of their socio-economic status."

Kenner said, "It is our mission to end digital inequality by building communities' capacities to leverage technology to improve educational and economic opportunities - a pattern which affects social capital in both the physical and digital domains." The organization is undergoing a strategic planning process and is looking forward to launching citywide in 2011.

For more information, visit http://iGotITtoo.org

SOURCE iGotITtoo