OUR HISTORY
Opened in 2016
For the past 9 years, we've utilised the volunteer energy of community members and members to build solutions that tackle the digital divide, inspired by the belief that digital equity and connectivity is a right, not a privilege.
We envision a vibrant community where everyone has equitable and effective access to a wide range of no-cost human services, regardless of their status, income, or circumstances.
Our Values
Collaboration: We create and embrace partnerships as fuel to propel our own work and innovation, and to drive the best possible outcomes.
Community: We cultivate and amplify the voices of people and organizations in our community with the experience and expertise to best serve it.
Humanity: We are committed to upholding the dignity, needs and rights of all.
Inclusivity: We champion equity and belonging as fundamental.
Innovation: We are scrappy. We use people power to meet the most urgent needs of our community.
Integrity: We embrace responsibility and accountability in all of our work.
Resiliency: We champion the resiliency of our community and the individuals who are part of it.
HI, WE ARE SHELTERTECH
We envision a vibrant community where everyone has equitable and effective access to a wide range of no-cost human services, regardless of their status, income, or circumstances.
To deliver on that vision, we work to reduce barriers for those in need by connecting them with human services and opportunities empowering them to live happier, healthier lives.
A note from our founder,
Darcel Jackson
"I became homeless when I was injured and lost my welding job working on the new Bay Bridge. I realized the longer I stayed in that condition, the harder it would become to escape it.
Living on the streets, I spent most of my time just trying to survive. It’s hard to know where to start, what services were needed, how to get training in a new field or search for jobs. I had a smartphone and could find WiFi, but there weren't any apps or websites to help me get off the streets.
Now I want to give back and help people that become homeless. I founded ShelterTech to help bridge this digital divide."
VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY
We’ve heard from San Franciscans, including as part of our recent strategic planning community outreach that it’s hard to know where to go when you’re looking for supportive services. It’s hard to know where to start, and hard to navigate different resources to find accurate information. We’re glad to be supporting ShelterTech and the broader community to build SF Service Guide – a one-stop, reliable place to help connect residents to the services they need.
Barry Roeder, Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development
Wi-fi has been a top request among young people here at Larkin Street. Now that we have it with ShelterTech we are seeing more young people come in and stay around and get the things they need so that they can move past homelessness, permanently.
Gayle Roberts, Chief Development Officer, Larkin Street Youth Services
Over the years, the guide has evolved and gotten much better. When I first started, it was merely showers, food, and shelters. Now, it’s permanent housing, resources for vets, substance abuse, moving, credit help, and so much more. The SF Service Guide turned into my case manager.
SR, disabled veteran who experienced homelessness and now has his own apartment
There’s an overwhelming number of resources for the [at-risk] populations that live here and it’s important to have a place where they can go where they know all the information is accurate, up-to-date, and consistent with what their understanding has been of that particular resource. And if there are any changes that need to be made those will be reflected.
Julie Rosenthal, Director of Social Services, Homeless Advocacy Project
Annalisa Adams-Qualtierre
Chief People Officer, Skoll Foundation
Derek Fidler
Director UX & Product Strategy, Flatpay
Joe Freund
Sr. Director Platform Engineering, MyVest
Katy Halasz
Director Data & Technology, Brilliant Corners
Melissa King
COO, Healthspan Action Coalition
Hicham Sabir
Head of ESG Platforms, Holtara
Amy Kimura Schoemehl
Sr VP Head of People, Goodwater
Bill Soward
CEO, Titan Seal
Richard Xia
Software Engineering Manager, SiFive
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