Five Neighborhood Organizations Make a Tangible Impact on Their Clients Digital Lives Through Digital Skills Workshops and Devices
What began with an out-of-the-blue email in April will soon result in 110 more people getting access to a device, an integral resource in today’s online world. When Donna Fuentes with Digitunity reached out to Leslie Scott, KC Digital Drive’s Digital Inclusion Program Manager, with access to a wide range of free basic digital skills training resources and refurbished devices, Leslie quickly acted to bring the opportunity to organizations from previous KC Goes Tech cohorts who were also members of the Digital Life Exchange. Ultimately, participants included:
- Heart of the City Neighborhood Association
- Wendell Phillips Neighborhood Association
- Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council
- Exceeds Expectations
- Parkville Living Center
Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization working with partners to expand device ownership for everyone. Their Connected Learning Digital Skills program provides digital literacy training to community members using curated content from AT&T. Partners can receive a portion of the 55 refurbished Windows laptops or 55 Chromebooks for their participants who completed at least three of the foundational digital skills workshops, available thanks to funding from AT&T.
Topics span from internet basics, cybersecurity, and digital citizenship with instructor resources, participant handouts and curriculum all ready to go, making the workshops easy to host for the mostly volunteer instructors. Check out the AT&T curriculum here.
Participants ranged in age from teens to older adults. Some remarked on how their new device will improve their everyday life, including web browsing, telehealth, communicating with others, managing their financial health, and literacy. Alisa at Exceeds Expectations participated in the workshop as part of a youth summer camp. She was excited to use her laptop for college when she heads to Atlanta in the fall, remarking that it will “greatly help me get a head start.”
Even though she uses technology frequently, she still benefited from attending the workshop.
“I learned the deeper extent of cybersecurity, specifically security on websites. This workshop will help me achieve personal and professional goals because I go online every day, and even when I work virtually I’ll have to know how to be safe and secure,” Alisa said.
Partner organizations are continuing to host their workshops over the next few months. We will share a final recap to provide additional impacts of this opportunity.
James Tindall, volunteer at Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council presenting their Digitunity computer literacy workshop.
Learn more about the DLX
If your organization is interested in being connected to digital inclusion-related resources and other benefits, become a Digital Life Exchange member. Membership is free. Fill out the interest form here and read more on our DLX page here.