Silicon Valley is going back to school.
Twenty technology companies based in the Bay Area have joined a new initiative that connects Silicon Valley heavyweights with local schools to donate books, teach kids to code and do volunteer work, PCMag.com reported.
Called Circle the Schools, the project has tapped Twitter, Airbnb and 18 other companies but still has a long way to go to cover all 116 of San Francisco's public schools.
"We want to match a tech company to every single school," said Silicon Valley investor Ron Conway, who built the One City website, as quoted by USA TODAY. "Once we do that, we want to match two companies to every single school."
The new program could help relieve tension between Silicon Valley and the greater community. Facebook, Google and other names have been accused of furthering income disparity in the area as more people are edged out by rising prices and steep rent.
One City, which helps tech companies find ways to volunteer in the community, is intended to help Silicon Valley connect with local people and soften the tech industry's image.
"I think we are creating a new enthusiasm for contributions that tech is making," said Conway, as quoted by USA TODAY. "I think people are realizing the tech community is engaging and contributing."
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone has done his part for the new initiative by appearing in the new Circle the Schools promotional video called "MyBook." In the promo, Stone and an actor lampoon society's tendency to build up hype about new products by performing a bit about a hot new device called a book.
"I feel silly but whatever. It's for a good cause," said Stone, as quoted by USA TODAY. "This project is awesome because it is an attempt to not just talk about the issues that are facing us in the Bay Area with regard to inequality, but it's actually doing something about it."
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