SNAP Program

Digital Inclusion Service

Meet Kathryn

Kathryn lost her home and most of her possessions in the Echo Mountain Fire on September 7,
2020. She has been staying at a local motel and her primary access to the internet has been
through her phone. She is unemployed and has been struggling to edit her resume and cover
letters without a computer.

Kathryn has a master’s degree and is working towards earning certification as a Substance
Abuse Counselor. Most recently she has been employed at a methadone clinic as she
accumulates the thousands of hours of supervised clinical practice necessary for certification.
Despite her own struggles, she has continued to volunteer at a local church to help feed the
homeless.

Kathryn views her challenges as an opportunity for growth, both personally and as a counselor.
She was very excited to receive a laptop as part of the Digital Inclusion Service pilot program.
The laptop will allow her to search for jobs, update her résumé, craft cover letters, and
continue to journal and reflect on her journey. It will also allow her to maintain contact with her
career coach at WorkSource Lincoln City.

Through a partnership with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Free Geek, OED’s SNAP program provides a digital inclusion service to eligible SNAP participants which allow them the opportunity to participate in skill
development and training, job search classes, networking opportunities, and more. Digital Inclusion Service includes a refurbished laptop, 12-months technical support, 12-month warranty, and digital literacy components from
Free Geek. Funding provided by the Oregon Department of Human Services, United States Department of Agriculture, the State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and the Oregon Employment Department.
USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.