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Imagine living your day-to-day life without internet access. Would it be possible?
An estimated 42 million Americans do not have the ability to purchase broadband internet, according to BroadbandNow, leading to a phenomenon dubbed “the digital divide.” Without access to the internet, individuals can miss out on key information and opportunities necessary for life in 2024.
In San Gabriel, California, The Salvation Army received a grant from AT&T that aims to close this divide in the community. At an event July 23, AT&T External Affairs Area Manager Carmen Shoemaker presented a ceremonial check for $20,000 to support at-risk individuals through the San Gabriel Corps’ Digital Inclusion Initiative.
“AT&T is committed to supporting students and families by doing things that benefit the communities where we live and work,” said Shoemaker. “Today is another step forward as we come together to help bridge the digital divide and support digital literacy and resources for at-risk youth.”
The funds will be used for tablets, laptops and software for a lab-type environment at the corps. The goal? Fostering digital literacy, safety and community engagement for youth in need.
San Gabriel is part of the larger San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, where more than a third of the country’s Asian Americans live, according to Asian Americans Advancing Justice’s “A Community of Contrasts” report.
Reflecting the community, the San Gabriel Corps is primarily Mandarin-speaking, Corps Officer Joanna Wang said. Services are largely conducted in Mandarin and English, with some attendees speaking additional languages.
During the event, Wang shared the range of services the corps provides, from spiritual care and feeding support to holding English as a second language (ESL) classes.
Prior to becoming a Salvation Army officer, Wang was an ESL teacher. “This is my heart and something I love doing,” she said. “We get to work with people of all ages.”
“Bridging the digital divide is so critical here in our communities.”
Assemblymember Mike Fong
She said the grant will help further the corps’ ESL efforts, among other things.
“With this gift we will be serving youth, along with their families and even seniors in the community,” she said. “We’re going to get software so that they can practice English, not just with me. Software so they can learn how to type things, for the youth to be able to be more successful in school. And we’ll also be able to purchase iPads and laptops, so that people who otherwise may not have that opportunity to use technology, they can come here and use it in a safe place.”
A number of local dignitaries participated in the grant ceremony, including Assemblymember Mike Fong.
“Bridging the digital divide is so critical here in our communities,” he said. “It’s so critical to really make sure that we’re providing those opportunities for our students… and it is that partnership and generosity from AT&T that we’re so grateful for.”
The grant is part of a larger initiative.
“This effort is part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption,” Shoemaker said. “AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high speed Internet by 2030.”
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