YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Spectrum hosted a digital education class at Oak Hill Collaborative on Friday to offer community members tips on maximizing their home WiFi and staying safe online.
The program is part of an ongoing partnership supported by a $20,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant awarded to Oak Hill on Friday.
Oak Hill will use the grant to continue to provide free computer education and training and ensure affordable technology for local residents, a news release states. Oak Hill provides free classes in its Digital Learning Center and offers one-on-one assistance for those who need extra support.
“For individuals that struggle with mobility or with health concerns, technology can keep them connected with friends and family while remaining safe,” said Pat Kerrigan, executive director of Oak Hill Collaborative. “By offering technology training, we’re opening up a whole new world through laptops, phones and tablets that wouldn’t be possible without Spectrum’s support.”
Spectrum Digital Education partners with nonprofits that share a commitment to using technology as a tool for opportunity, whether to pursue education, find employment, access health care or stay connected to news and information, and to their friends and family.
“Technology is a powerful equalizer, but only if people have access to a computer and then know how to use it,” said Rahman Khan, group vice president, community impact at Spectrum. “Through Spectrum Digital Education, we’re helping our nonprofit partners turn connectivity into real opportunities for their communities, from education and employment to everyday connection and independence.”
Since launching in 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has committed more than $12 million to support 204 community-based nonprofits across Spectrum’s 41-state service area, the release states. Grant recipients have distributed nearly 20,000 laptops and held more than 50,000 digital education classes, benefiting nearly 200,000 community members nationwide.
Pictured at top: From left are Jacob Miller, field service manager at Spectrum; Anitia Davis, president of Youngstown City Council; Ashley Karlen, director, state government affairs at Spectrum; state Sen. Al Cutrona; Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell; and Pat Kerrigan, executive director of Oak Hill Collaborative.