About Us
The Digital Equity Program is a service provided by the Fortune Society's Information Technology department. The program is a resource for participants to receive the technical support and training necessary for navigating a digital world both personally and professionally.
The Digital Equity Program’s mission is to help individuals break the cycle of recidivism by gaining the knowledge and resources necessary to successfully navigate today’s technology-driven world.
We do this through digital skill classes, with customized pacing to ensure that no one gets left behind.
We do this by connecting participants with free equipment, and direct guidance on how to use it.
And we do this by providing opportunities to put those skills and equipment to immediate use.
Our vision is to build a future of tech-savvy citizens by providing our participants with comprehensive and quality training and support, thereby unlocking their potential and empowering their futures.
All Fortune Society participants are eligible. No other program enrollment is required.
Partners
Meet The Team
Adrienne Whaley
Senior Director
Adrienne has 25 years of instructional design and training experience. She is certified as a Technical Trainer, Microsoft Educator, and Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert.
Jacob Schwartz
Program Manager
A former Fortune Society member himself, Jacob is an electrical engineer with experience in robotics, programming and instructional design. He is a certified Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert.
Andrew Barnes
Digital Navigator
Andrew has taught over 5000 people how to use Microsoft Office, and other various software programs since 1998. He is certified Microsoft Office Master Instructor.
Milo Jones
Digital Navigator
Drawing on a decade of experience as an ICAN case manager, Milo also has a degree in Computer Science. He is certified in Security+, Network+, and A+ from his days as a government contractor.
Raysean Richardson
Digital Navigator
Raysean is an experienced Web and UI Designer. His skills include C++, HTML5, Python, Swift, and JavaScript, with a specialty in creating responsive, user-friendly digital experiences.
Mark Solomon
Digital Navigator
Mark has a background in art, photography, and community health education. Rooted in patience and curiosity, Mark has a passion for helping others connect creativity with technology.
Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society’s vision is to foster a world where all who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated will thrive as positive, contributing members of society. We do this through a holistic, one-stop model of service provision.
Our continuum of care, informed and implemented by professionals with cultural backgrounds and life experiences similar to those of our participants, helps ensure their success. Fortune serves over 9,000 individuals in a typical year via five New York City locations: our service center in Long Island City, Queens and our housing facilities: the Fortune Academy (“the Castle”) and Castle Gardens in West Harlem, Freedom House in East Harlem and BronxPro in the South Bronx. Our program models are recognized both nationally and internationally for their quality and innovation.