LITERACY ROCHESTER GETTING TECHNOLOGY IN THE HANDS OF THOSE IN NEED
Providing Chromebooks, tablets, and internet service for program participants
Rochester, N.Y. – The digital divide has been an issue since computers and the internet came to be a mainstream and primary form of communication in the world. Literacy Rochester has received funding to launch a new pilot program called “Getting Technology in the Hands of Those in Need.”
The program will provide Chromebooks, tablets, and internet service to participants in both their Instructional and Digital Literacy programs. Participants will receive a Chromebook or tablet in addition to internet service for 3 to 6 months.
The pilot program is made possible through Literacy Rochester’s partnership with Spectrum and the Office of Adult and Career Educations Services (OACES) at Rochester City School District who provided funding for the purchase of the Chromebooks, tablets and Wi-Fi hotspots service for adult learners to take advantage of virtual classes online.
“Equipping our residents with the tools they need to be digitally literate is essential to making sure that every citizen can fully function in today’s high tech society,” said Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “I want to thank Literacy Rochester and their partners for creating this new pilot program that will supply technology to those in need, and for their ongoing commitment to help more people in the Rochester community connect to the ever-expanding virtual world we live in.”
“During the COVID-19 pandemic there has been much uncertainty and wondering what is next for each of us. With so many parts of everyday life on hold and in flux, the challenges of literacy did not get put on hold and our students still needed to work towards achieving their goals,” said Joshua Stapf, Development Director, Literacy Rochester. “We, at Literacy Rochester, took our traditional hands-on face-to-face tutoring, classes, and computer help and redesigned it to work in a social distancing world.”
“Charter is proud to lend support towards Literacy Rochester and the launch of their pilot adult online learning tool,” said Camille Joseph, GVP, State Government Affairs for Charter Communications. “We continue to support broadband education, training and technology with grants to nonprofit organizations that are interested in providing the necessary tools and training to help communities excel in the digital age.”
WHAT: A digital learning program partnership among Literacy Rochester, Spectrum and the Office of Adult and Career Educations Services (OACES) at Rochester City School District.
WHO: Chromebooks and/or tablets will be delivered to 9 of the 15 program participants selected while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 10
WHERE: 1600 South Ave (Noon to 2 p.m.) and Personal drop offs at participants houses
Through this loan program participants receiving the Chromebooks and/or tablets can continue on their pathway to success in a time when access to computers are limited as a result of libraries and community centers being closed due to the current COVID-19 health crisis. The impact goes beyond just helping the participant, it has a larger impact on the participant’s household, as the hot spots and tablets will provide internet access for everyone within that household.
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