They learned that many students were attempting to attend virtual classes using a
parent’s phone or shared device. It wasn’t enough. Families shared that they were
considering holding their children back a grade due to lack of access. Isabel saw
this as a deeply unjust and inequitable situation—and the team set an ambitious
goal: provide laptops to every family in one San Francisco shelter by the end of the
summer. That meant 300 devices in a matter of months.
But a laptop alone isn’t enough. Students also need Wi-Fi access, tutoring, and
digital literacy training. That’s where Tony came in.
After a 20+ year career at Intel, Tony retired in 2022 and sought opportunities to
give back. He became an Encore Fellow, and the opportunity at Bridging Tech was
a perfect match—especially given his background in Wi-Fi engineering. Tony’s
project management experience helped organize and accelerate these efforts as he
launched a pilot program to provide internet access via Wi-Fi hotspots at three
shelters, receiving enthusiastic feedback from students and families. One highlight
of Encore Fellowships, he notes, is the cross-generational collaboration—with
Isabel, Margo, and younger team members bringing energy and passion, while he
contributes strategic skills and technical know-how.
Now, the team is expanding its impact. In addition to Bridging Tech Ed, they’re
launching Bridging Tech Health—a new initiative to help underserved populations
complete complex healthcare forms like Medi-Cal applications. The AI-powered
chatbot will guide users through the process, translating across multiple languages
to ensure accessibility.
Tony has stayed on with Bridging Tech beyond his initial fellowship, continuing to
support both educational and healthcare initiatives. The work goes on—and the
mission remains: to create equitable access to technology and opportunity for every
student.
