What a transformative day – perhaps it’s the weather which is much more spring-like as opposed to the bone chilling cold of late or the dramatic transformation my own life has taken. The greatest change being my employment. I’m now working with the web communications team at Tufts University. It’s an exciting new phase in my life that aligns so wonderfully well with all the things I hold dear.

Though it does mean that my blogging will be a bit more spontaneous pending on the day. This blog is also going to transform. While it’ll continue to contain my reflections on the realm of social media and technology in society I’ve decided to include my own personal reflections on life – as I feel there will be much to digest.

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to volunteer at CCTV as they kick-ed off a digital divide project that they are implementing in associate with the City of Cambridge.

As part of the program, participants will receive a free refurbished computer (either PC or Mac) and a wireless Internet access node. During the training, participants will learn how to connect to the City’s wireless network using their wireless node, or transmitter. Through participants’ involvement in the program they will also be helping to strengthen the wireless network for their neighbors closest to them. To learn more about the City’s wireless network involved in this program, visit Cambridge Public Internet Initiative.

[Courtesy of Colin Rhinesmith. For more on the logistics and progress of this project visit Colin's blog as he's overseeing this initiative and has much to share.]

The day was full of excitement, laughter and (of course) food as participants visited us throughout the day to complete the orientation portion of the project. In total 30 participants attended. It was such a humbling reminder of the things I take for granted as well as the impact of the heighten progress of technology on those who simply want to participate, but do not have the physical means to do so.

What draws me to this particular program, in addition simply to its mission, is the amount of support integrated into the program. Prior to individuals receiving their respective computers they are required to attend a series of computer based trainings – and from there are provided with support as they get up and running. It truly is a great effort by some very passionate folks – with no doubt a life changing outcome for those involved.