The San Diego Futures Foundation is working to close the gender gap in the digital divide.
According to projections by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education, by 2006, women will make up 47 percent of the work force but will remain underrepresented in the fields of technology and science.
“Our goal is to really find a way to introduce girls to technology and show them that technology is not just a tool in and of itself, but for them to find out that technology is a tool that you can use for other resources,” said Becky Stawiski, executive director for the nonprofit organization that offers technology services to underserved communities.
The San Diego Futures Foundation, in sponsorship with four other local nonprofits, are working with volunteers and teen-age girls from the Mira Mesa Epicentre, a local teen center, to offer computer and Web training to young girls at The San Diego Girls Club in Southeast San Diego.
Beginning in early March, women volunteers from the technology-oriented nonprofits began a six-week program, training seven high school-age girls from the teen center in the areas of Web development and information technology skills.
Upon completion, the girls and volunteers will apply their computer skills at the Girls Club, where they will instruct girls, ages 5 to 13, on basic computer skills.
For six weeks, the girls will work on a range of technology projects, including computer graphics, digital photography, and design and launch a new Web site for San Diego Girls Club.
The Web site will feature an art gallery of works done by the girls and information about the Girls Club.
“It’s important for them to see how women are using technology in their careers,” said Stawiski, regarding the mentoring between the women volunteers and the girls.
Stawiski said they are aiming to start the weekly program at the San Diego Girls Club by mid-April, with between 45 to 100 participants.
