Team members posing for a group photo.

About Us

Our Mission and History

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

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

Darcel Jackson, founder of ShelterTech.

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.

Volunteer Spotlight
Laura Barrera-Vera
Program Manager, SF Service Guide
I moved to San Francisco in 2019 and immediately decided to join ShelterTech as I felt compelled to take action to address the worsening homelessness crisis. As Product Lead, I have focused on managing product development and on improving collaboration across all key teams to ensure we build an impactful product.