About Us
ShelterTech Vision Statement
Our vision is a vibrant community where everyone has equitable and effective access to a wide range of human services, regardless of their status, income, or circumstances.
ShelterTech Mission Statement
ShelterTech reduces barriers for those in need by connecting them with human services and opportunities empowering them to live happier, healthier lives.
ShelterTech Overview
ShelterTech is an award-winning non-profit solving the biggest technology challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and are housing insecure in San Francisco. Our unique, volunteer-driven organization is committed to bridging the digital divide, inspired by the belief that digital equity and connectivity is a right, not a privilege.
With over 9,000 people in San Francisco and over 28,000 in the Bay Area currently unsheltered and tens of thousands more at risk of eviction, the situation has never been more dire. The tech boom in San Francisco has created thousands of jobs and great wealth. It has also widened the digital divide and created an affordable housing crisis, making a bad situation even worse.
Working in close collaboration with the City of San Francisco, frontline services organizations, local corporations, and community representatives, ShelterTech is committed to delivering solutions built by the community, for the community. ShelterTech’s programs include:
- SF Service Guide is an online directory of human services in San Francisco
- ShelterConnect is a program that installs free WiFi in shelters, community centers, and supportive housing developments
- The Community Representative program is designed to bring volunteers and underserved community members together to enhance ShelterTech programs and build awareness
ShelterTech 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.
Financials
2022
ShelterTech is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations to ShelterTech are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. For more information about our financial statements, please contact [email protected]
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 in San Francisco. I realized the longer I stayed in that condition, the harder it would become to escape it. Living on the streets, you spend most of your time just trying to survive. It’s hard to know where to start, what services you need, 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. Darcel founded ShelterTech to help bridge this digital divide.