Community Technology Sovereignty Through Fire Recovery

Project Name: CalTekNet 2026

Project Leader: Kenneth M. Wyrick

Fiscal Sponsorship Request: $237,500 - $287,500 (Modular)

Total Project Value: $522,500 - $572,500

Duration: 18 months (July 2026 - December 2027)

1. PROJECT MISSION & TARGET POPULATION

Mission (3 sentences)

CalTekNet establishes community-owned technology infrastructure in Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils that survives disasters, generates sustainable revenue, and transfers to democratic governance. We respond to January 2025 LA fires with mesh networks, solar manufacturing, and educational technology while building permanent civic capacity. Our integrated approach combines crisis response with systems change, creating workforce pathways and energy sovereignty for BIPOC and fire-displaced communities.

Target Population

Primary: Fire-displaced families in Altadena (majority BIPOC), Pasadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Hollywood Hills; South LA communities (Crenshaw, Leimert Park, Boyle Heights); 25-99 Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils.

Secondary: Seniors requiring digital literacy (500+), students in LAUSD/MUSD (1,500+), workforce seeking manufacturing/tech careers (350+), nonprofit organizations needing ERP infrastructure (15+).

Geographic Service Area

LA County with focus on fire-affected neighborhoods and historically underserved South LA. Specific deployment: Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Hollywood Hills, Crenshaw, Leimert Park, Boyle Heights, plus 18 additional Neighborhood Council areas.

Current/Projected Reach

18-Month Target: 10,000 WiFi users, 1,500 students (xAPI learning), 500 seniors (digital literacy), 350 certified workers (200 network tech + 100 drone + 150 CHERP solar manufacturing), 15 nonprofits (Odoo ERP), 100+ Neighborhood Council participants (democratic governance).

2. SOCIAL ISSUE & DEMONSTRATED NEED

Crisis Context: January 2025 LA Fires

The Eaton, Palisades, and related fires destroyed thousands of structures, exposing catastrophic infrastructure failures: commercial ISPs went dark (AT&T, Spectrum, Verizon), centralized emergency systems overwhelmed, cloud-dependent software inaccessible, power grids failed. BIPOC communities in Altadena and South LA faced compounded disadvantage—pre-existing digital inequity made worse by disaster displacement.

Five Interconnected Crises

1. Digital Divide & Disaster Resilience Gap (Module A: $45K)

Fire-affected neighborhoods lack community-owned telecommunications. Commercial providers fail during emergencies. CalTekNet deploys 150 LibreRouter mesh nodes across 5 fire-affected areas, providing free basic tier (5 Mbps) for low-income households, with CENIC CalREN fiber integration (8,000+ mile backbone).

2. Energy Insecurity & Fire Safety (Module H: $25K-75K)

Conventional solar creates dangerous hotspot flares that ignite fires. CHERP non-silica technology eliminates this risk while being repairable (extends lifecycle). CalTekNet establishes 10 nonprofit-operated CHERP manufacturing facilities producing 5,000+ fire-safe panels annually, powering mesh nodes and community centers.

3. Manufacturing Job Loss (Module H: 150 jobs)

LA County hemorrhaged manufacturing jobs for decades. CHERP facilities create 150 living-wage positions ($18-25/hour) while generating $400K annual revenue for nonprofit operations. Community organizations operate facilities, not investors.

4. Data Sovereignty & Government Service Gaps (Module C: $40K)

LA City's $6M unhoused services contracts fail to track service declinations because departments lack interoperable data. IT Department testified: "We don't have a solution." CalTekNet's Odoo ERP + Ushahidi + OSGeo Live integration solves this, creating $45K/year government contract pathway.

5. STEM Education & Career Pathways (Module E: $30K)

LAUSD (600,000 students) offers ZERO comprehensive drone training despite market demand (50,000+ FAA Part 107 pilots needed by 2030, earning $50-100K). Fire recovery needs drone operators for damage assessment. Fullerton College model ready for district-wide replication.

3. PROJECT GOALS & MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Primary Goal

Establish community-owned technology infrastructure in 25-99 Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils that survives disasters, generates sustainable revenue, creates quality jobs, and transfers to democratic governance within 18 months.

18-Month Measurable Outcomes

4. PROJECT ACTIVITIES - 8 INTEGRATED MODULES

CalTekNet proposes modular implementation allowing Community Partners to fund entire vision OR select high-priority components.

Module A: Fire Recovery Mesh Networks CP: $45K | Total: $95K

• Deploy 150 LibreRouter/LibreMesh nodes across 5 fire-affected neighborhoods
• CENIC CalREN fiber integration (8,000+ miles backbone)
• Community technician training (50 participants, 120-hour certification, $15/hr stipends)
• Community ISP formation (cooperative ownership model)
• Solar-powered edge nodes (CHERP integration for resilience)
• Partners: CENIC ($25K), Bridge Digital Divide ($15K), Dr. Batie/SuccessNet ($10K)

Module B: Educational Technology Integration CP: $35K | Total: $75K

• xAPI Learning Ecosystems (ADL Total Learning Architecture, Internet-in-a-Box)
• Ma'at Protocol AI Governance (Kemetic principles: Truth, Balance, Order, Justice, Reciprocity)
• VCAP 8-week workshops (Virtual Community Action Planning with Michael Rendler AIA)
• Digital literacy programs (500 seniors, multilingual support: Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, Korean)
• OSGeo Live GIS training (llve.osgeo.org bootable USB distribution)
• Partners: USC/CENIC ($20K), LAUSD/MUSD ($15K), Vivian Tanamachi/Tutortronics ($5K)

Module C: Nonprofit ERP Infrastructure CP: $40K | Total: $85K

• Odoo 19 CE multi-tenant deployments for 15+ nonprofits (including CP projects)
• Docker Swarm orchestration, PostgreSQL DBFILTER isolation, Cloudflare tunnels
• LA City unhoused services data platform (Ushahidi + PostGIS + Odoo integration)
• 40 hours technical assistance per organization, quarterly peer learning
• TurnkeyLinux standardized operations (distrowatch.com integration)
• Government Contract Opportunity: LA City $45K/year unhoused services platform
• Partners: Vivian Tanamachi/Tutortronics ($30K), Kenneth Wyrick Infrastructure ($20K)

Module D: Democratic Governance & Sustainability CP: $22.5K | Total: $57.5K

• Cooperative ISP development (legal structures, business planning for 5 NC operations)
• Revenue modeling (Vegas Mesh validation: AT&T/T-Mobile data offload, Frankfurt/Sierra Leone media)
• Timebanking integration (ASNTB model revival 2008-2020)
• Policy advocacy (LA County Digital Equity Roadmap, Delete the Divide)
• Governance transition to democratically-elected boards by Month 18
• Partners: Michael Rendler AIA ($15K), Prince Adeyemi ($10K), NC Coalition ($10K)

Module E: Drone Training & STEM Education CP: $30K | Total: $55K

• Fullerton College IT Department partnership (study successful model)
• K-12 curriculum: Elementary intro → Middle school hands-on → High school FAA Part 107 prep
• LAUSD advocacy for district-wide adoption (600,000+ students, currently NO comprehensive training)
• Fire recovery integration (damage assessment, infrastructure inspection, emergency response)
• Workforce pathways: K-12 intro → FAA Part 107 certification → $50-100K career placement
• Market Demand: 50,000+ new commercial drone pilots needed by 2030
• Partners: Fullerton College IT ($15K), commercial drone operators ($10K)

Module F: Urban Agriculture IoT CP: $20K | Total: $45K

• ZipGrow tower systems (800+ towers, IoT sensors for temp/humidity/pH/nutrients)
• Raspberry Pi integration with mesh network for real-time alerts
• Climate data collection supporting LA County resilience planning
• Community food production (fresh produce in fire recovery neighborhoods)
• Educational integration (STEAM curriculum with living systems)
• Alignment: CP's LA Food Equity Fund ($21.9M)
• Partners: ZipGrow Systems ($15K), urban ag nonprofits ($10K)

Module G: Arts & Multimedia Production CP: $20K | Total: $35K

• CalTekNet Independent Media (Kenneth's 28+ years desktop publishing/multimedia)
• Fire recovery documentation, training videos, Creative Commons resources
• Alignment with CA Creative Corps ($4M supporting artists)
• SCaLE 2027 booth sharing with ASIFA (Pasadena Convention Center)
• Open source animation, Blender, multimedia content creation
• Partners: Leimert Park arts orgs ($10K), ASIFA ($5K)

Module H: CHERP Solar Manufacturing ⚡ CP: $25K-75K | Total: $75K-150K

BREAKTHROUGH OPPORTUNITY:

• 10 nonprofit-operated solar manufacturing facilities strategically located in LA County
• Non-silica CHERP technology: Eliminates dangerous hotspot flares (fire safety!), repairable panels (extends lifecycle), FCC approved
• Job creation: 150+ manufacturing positions at $18-25/hour living wages
• Community ownership: Nonprofits operate facilities, generate revenue, build capacity
• Energy sovereignty: Produce panels for mesh network nodes, community centers, housing
• Market positioning: Imminent high demand for fire-safe solar technology

CHERP Status: Kenneth signed NDA with Devin (advocate for inventor who has since passed). CalTekNet opportunity: Revive original non-silica vision through CP fiscal sponsorship, using fire recovery urgency + nonprofit manufacturing model.

Revenue Potential (Year 2+): 5,000 panels/year × $200/panel = $1M gross; $400K net revenue reinvested in nonprofit operations, worker benefits, community programs.

Modular Budget Options:

• Pilot ($25K CP + $50K in-kind = $75K): 3 facilities, 50 workers, 1,000 panels
• Comprehensive ($75K CP + $75K in-kind = $150K): 10 facilities, 150 workers, 5,000 panels

5. EQUITY & JUSTICE FRAMEWORK

Priority Populations

• Fire-displaced families: Altadena (majority BIPOC), Pasadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Hollywood Hills
• South LA communities: Crenshaw, Leimert Park, Boyle Heights (historically redlined neighborhoods)
• Seniors: Digital literacy programs, multilingual support (Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, Korean)
• Undocumented immigrants: Tech access without documentation barriers, privacy-protected services
• Students in underperforming districts: STEM pathways, FAA Part 107 certification, manufacturing jobs

Anti-Displacement Strategy

• Cooperative ownership: Residents elect boards, control operations, share profits
• Local hiring mandates: 75% of positions filled by neighborhood residents
• Wealth building: Timebanking credits convert to equity in cooperative, creating community wealth
• Anti-speculation: Infrastructure owned by nonprofits/cooperatives, not investors seeking profit extraction

Cultural Responsiveness

• Ma'at Protocol: AI governance based on African/Kemetic wisdom (Truth, Balance, Order, Justice, Reciprocity)
• Multilingual support: Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, Korean interfaces for Odoo, Ushahidi, OSGeo
• NC democratic frameworks: Neighborhood Councils as primary governance structures (LA's existing participatory democracy)
• Indigenous knowledge integration: VCAP terrestrial architecture incorporates place-based wisdom

Accessibility Commitments

• Free basic internet: Mesh network provides free tier (5 Mbps) for low-income households
• Sliding scale: $0-50/month based on income for higher speeds
• Equipment lending: Refurbished computers via Bridge Digital Divide e-waste program
• Senior-friendly design: Large buttons, simplified interfaces, intergenerational tech support teams

6. LEADERSHIP & PARTNERSHIPS

Kenneth M. Wyrick - Project Director

Relevant Experience:

• 12-year CP fiscal sponsorship success: ASNTB (2008-2020) - clean audits, timely reports, democratic governance, sustainable operations
• Current: 29 Dines Advisory Board member (CP fiscally sponsored project)
• 28+ years: Desktop publishing, multimedia production, communications technology
• Infrastructure expertise: Multi-node Docker Swarm, Portainer orchestration, Odoo 19 CE across 5+ domains
• Community organizing: 30+ years LA-based, 99 Neighborhood Council engagement

Strategic Partners (Proposed, Pending Confirmation)

Advisory Board (3-9 Members, To Be Finalized)

Proposed structure includes: Fire Recovery Representative, NC Leadership, CENIC/Networking Expert, Educational Technology Specialist, Drone Aviation Professional, Cooperative Business Specialist, Legal/Policy Advocate, BIPOC Tech Justice Organizer, Nonprofit ERP Expert.

7. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & REVENUE MODEL

18-Month CP Fiscal Sponsorship Period

• Primary Funding Source: Community Partners fiscal sponsorship
• Leverage Strategy: $260K-310K in-kind contributions (1.21:1 ratio)
• Sustainability Planning: Build revenue streams during sponsorship to achieve independence by Year 3

Year 3+ Sustainability Revenue Model (2028 Onward)

Projected Annual Revenue: $2.21M - $2.91M

Estimated Annual Expenses: $1.45M - $1.75M (personnel, infrastructure, programs, administration)

Net Revenue: $760K - $1.16M annually → Reinvested: Expansion (50%), reserve fund (25%), worker bonuses (15%), R&D (10%)

Government Contract Pathway

LA City Unhoused Services Platform - $45K/Year Opportunity

• Status: IT Department testified to City Council about data interoperability problem
• CalTekNet Solution: Ushahidi + PostGIS + Odoo = Unified quarterly reporting
• Revenue Impact: Year 1: $45K → Year 2: $90K (expanded) → Year 3: $180K (statewide replication)
• Strategic Benefit: Government contract validates technical capacity, creates reference project, generates sustainable revenue

8. IMPACT MEASUREMENT & EVALUATION

Reporting Schedule to Community Partners

• Monthly: Financial reports (income/expenses tracked in Odoo)
• Quarterly: Narrative progress reports with quantitative metrics dashboard
• Annual: End-of-Year Letter, comprehensive impact evaluation, strategic planning
• Ad-hoc: Project reports for major milestones (mesh deployment, CHERP facility opening, government contract, etc.)

Quantitative Metrics (Tracked via Odoo ERP)

Qualitative Indicators (Surveys & Focus Groups)

• Community ownership perception: % of residents who feel they "own" local technology infrastructure
• Digital confidence: Self-reported comfort level with technology tools (pre/post training)
• Civic engagement: NC meeting attendance, volunteer hours, community event participation
• Fire resilience: Residents' confidence in communication systems during future emergencies
• Economic mobility: Career pathway advancement, wage increases, job placement rates

9. COMMUNITY PARTNERS STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

FireAid LA Community Grants ($5M Fund)

CalTekNet's fire recovery infrastructure directly aligns with FireAid LA's $10K-50K grant range for mutual aid coordination and community-led response. Our mesh networks, solar manufacturing, and disaster-resilient technology demonstrate immediate fire recovery impact while building permanent capacity.

NSF Data Accessibility Initiative (Phyllis Owens, VP)

CalTekNet's xAPI learning data systems and citizen engagement platforms align with CP VP Phyllis Owens' NSF Data Accessibility Initiative partnership with LA Mayor's Data Team and Cal State LA. Our Ushahidi + OSGeo + Odoo integration creates community-controlled data infrastructure supporting participatory research and democratic decision-making.

Transformative Climate Communities ($58M Northeast Valley & South LA)

Geographic alignment with CalTekNet deployment areas. TCC focuses on community-led climate action in Northeast Valley (includes Altadena fire area) and South LA (Crenshaw, Leimert Park). Our mesh networks, CHERP solar, and urban agriculture IoT integrate climate resilience with community ownership.

LA Food Equity Fund ($21.9M ARPA)

CalTekNet's 800+ ZipGrow IoT tower systems connect food production with technology infrastructure. Urban agriculture partners receive both fresh food capacity AND digital connectivity via mesh networks, creating integrated community resilience.

10. RETURN VALUE TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Why CP Should Approve This Proposal

1. Proven Track Record - 12-year ASNTB success (2008-2020): clean audits, timely reports, democratic governance, sustainable operations

2. Current Partnership - Kenneth serves on 29 Dines advisory board; deep understanding of CP processes, ready to execute from Day 1

3. Portfolio Benefit - CalTekNet offers Odoo ERP platform to ALL 180+ CP projects: subsidized/no-cost implementation, shared infrastructure reducing costs across ecosystem, 40 hours technical assistance per organization, peer learning cohorts

4. Cutting-Edge Innovation - Ma'at Protocol (first AI governance based on African/Kemetic wisdom), CHERP Solar (non-silica fire-safe technology), Local-First Computing (OSGeo Live bootable USB)

5. Timeliness & Visibility - January 2025 LA fires create urgent need and high public attention; positions CP as responsive to current crisis

6. Multi-Issue Integration - Fire recovery + climate resilience + digital equity + workforce development + food systems + democratic governance; aligns with multiple CP strategic initiatives simultaneously

7. Regional Leadership Potential - 99 Neighborhood Councils = largest civic infrastructure footprint in LA; replicable model for other cities; positions CP as leader in disaster-resilient democratic infrastructure

11. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

Phase 1: Fire Recovery Rapid Response (Months 1-6)

• Month 1 (Jul 2026): Hire initial staff (3 FTE), secure office/warehouse, CENIC membership application, CHERP partnership activation
• Month 2 (Aug 2026): Deploy first 10 mesh nodes (Altadena proof-of-concept), technician training cohort 1 (20 participants), 3 community technology centers
• Month 3 (Sep 2026): Expand to 30 nodes (Altadena + Pasadena), cohort 1 graduates (20 certified techs), VCAP pilot, CHERP site selection
• Month 4 (Oct 2026): Malibu deployment (20 nodes), cohort 2 begins (20 participants), Fullerton College partnership, secure 3 CHERP facilities
• Month 5 (Nov 2026): Pacific Palisades (20 nodes), 800+ ZipGrow towers (3 sites), LA City platform proof-of-concept, CHERP workforce training (25 workers)
• Month 6 (Dec 2026): Hollywood Hills (20 nodes), cohort 2 graduates (20 certified techs), CENIC application submitted, first CHERP facility operational (500 panels)

Phase 2: Educational Integration & Job Creation (Months 7-12)

• Month 7 (Jan 2027): xAPI pilot (5 schools, 500 students), Odoo for 5 nonprofits, CHERP facilities 2-3 operational (50 workers)
• Month 8 (Feb 2027): Ma'at Protocol development, drone cohort 1 begins (25 students), mesh cohort 3 (20 participants), 1,500 panels to date
• Month 9 (Mar 2027): Expand xAPI to 10 schools/1,000 students, Odoo for 5 more nonprofits, SCaLE 2027 booth, LAUSD drone advocacy
• Month 10 (Apr 2027): Cooperative ISP formation (3 NCs), cohort 3 graduates (20 certified techs), 2,500 panels to date, 75 CHERP workers
• Month 11 (May 2027): Timebanking platform launch (100 participants), drone cohort 1 completes FAA Part 107 prep, CHERP facilities 4-7 preparation
• Month 12 (Jun 2027): Midpoint evaluation, 5,000 WiFi users reached, Odoo for final 5 nonprofits (15 total), LA City contract decision, 3,500 panels to date

Phase 3: Democratic Infrastructure & Scale-Up (Months 13-18)

• Month 13 (Jul 2027): Cooperative ISP 1 launches (first NC-owned internet), CHERP facilities 4-7 operational (100 workers), expand to 18 NCs
• Month 14 (Aug 2027): Drone cohort 2 begins (25 students), cooperative ISP 2 formation, 1,500 students in xAPI, 5,000 panels to date
• Month 15 (Sep 2027): Policy advocacy wins (NC resolutions, County Digital Equity Roadmap), 100 mesh nodes operational, CHERP facilities 8-9 preparation
• Month 16 (Oct 2027): Cooperative ISPs 3-4 formation, urban agriculture IoT full deployment (800+ towers, 10 sites), LAUSD board presentation
• Month 17 (Nov 2027): Governance transition begins (elect cooperative boards), CHERP facilities 8-10 operational (150 workers), 7,500 WiFi users
• Month 18 (Dec 2027): Final evaluation, cooperative ISP 5 launches, transfer to democratically-elected boards, 10,000 WiFi users, End-of-Year Letter, Year 2 strategic planning

12. BUDGET SUMMARY - MODULAR OPTIONS

Total Project Value: $522,500 - $572,500

Community Partners Request: $237,500 - $287,500 (45-50% of total)

In-Kind Contributions: $260,000 - $310,000 (50-55% of total)

Leverage Ratio: 1.21:1 (every CP dollar brings $1.21 in community resources)

Module-by-Module Budget

Flexible Funding Options

• Option 1: Fire Recovery Core (Modules A + B + H Pilot) - CP: $105K | Total: $245K - Essential fire response with smallest viable deployment
• Option 2: Fire + Governance (Modules A + B + D + E + H Pilot) - CP: $157.5K | Total: $357.5K - Adds democratic infrastructure and career pathways
• Option 3: Comprehensive No CHERP (Modules A-G) - CP: $212.5K | Total: $447.5K - Full implementation except solar manufacturing
• Option 4: Full Systems Change CHERP Pilot (ALL 8 Modules) - CP: $237.5K | Total: $522.5K - Complete vision with 3 CHERP facilities
• Option 5: Full Systems Change CHERP Comprehensive (ALL 8 Modules) - CP: $287.5K | Total: $597.5K - MAXIMUM IMPACT: 10 CHERP facilities, 150 manufacturing jobs

(Detailed budget worksheet attached separately)

CONCLUSION

CalTekNet 2026 represents unprecedented opportunity to respond to January 2025 LA fires while building permanent democratic infrastructure serving 25-99 Neighborhood Councils. Our integrated approach combines crisis response with systems change: mesh networks + solar manufacturing + educational technology + workforce development + democratic governance.

What Makes CalTekNet Unique:

• Crisis Response + Systems Change: Immediate fire recovery PLUS permanent democratic infrastructure
• Solar Manufacturing Jobs: CHERP technology creating 10 nonprofit-operated facilities, 150 living-wage jobs
• Government Contract Ready: LA City $6M unhoused services platform ($45K/year revenue pathway)
• Local-First Philosophy: OSGeo Live, Ushahidi, Odoo run offline during disasters
• International Validation: Partners in Las Vegas, Frankfurt Germany, Sierra Leone
• Proven Leadership: Kenneth's 12-year ASNTB success (2008-2020), 29 Dines advisory board (current)

We respectfully request Community Partners fiscal sponsorship to transform LA's response to fire disasters while establishing technology sovereignty that serves our most vulnerable communities.

Together, we can build the infrastructure our communities deserve.

Kenneth M. Wyrick, Project Director

CalTekNet Independent Media Production

📞 323-268-0395 | 🌐 caltek.net (est. 1997)

Submission: January 1, 2026