Just south of downtown Albuquerque sits the historic Hispanic neighborhood of Barelas, one of the city’s first communities dating back more than 300 years. The area is known for its adobe homes, cultural centers, performing arts and ethnic cuisine. Families have been living and farming there for generations.
As the world around Barelas becomes increasingly digital, some of the community’s families lack the technology needed to make their lives easier, healthier and more prosperous. For example, without access to computers and the internet, online learning, telehealth visits and remote work are just a few of the conveniences and opportunities that remain elusive to them.
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 67% of Hispanic adults own a laptop or desktop computer and 65% have broadband at home. This is significantly less than the 80% figure for white adults in both categories.
Laptop donation
To close the digital gap in communities like Barelas, Comcast and Albuquerque nonprofits Encuentro and Working Classroom joined forces to surprise more than 200 students and families with free laptops. They were also given key information about Internet Essentials from Xfinity, the nation’s largest broadband initiative.
“We want to thank Comcast for investing in the critical work we do every day. Their laptop donation gives our families the opportunity to fully participate in the digital world,” said Andrea Plaza, Encuentro Executive Director.
The giveaways were presented in December after the Copa Mundial Final watch party. The World Cup soccer event also was supported by television network Telemundo Nuevo Mexico.
“We’re proud to partner with Encuentro and Working Classroom in providing this special experience for their families,” Chris Dunkeson, Comcast’s area vice president, said when the giveaway was announced. “Today’s event is a testament to the continued commitment from Comcast in closing the digital divide. Our partnerships with community partners like Encuentro and Working Classroom help equip individuals and families with the tools, skills and resources they need to achieve their goals.”
Ongoing efforts to drive digital inclusion
Encuentro’s mission is to transform New Mexico into a thriving community for all residents. The nonprofit works to engage Latino immigrant families in education and career development opportunities that build skills for economic and social justice.
Working Classroom is an arts and social justice organization that cultivates artistic, civic and academic minds of youth through in-depth arts projects with contemporary artists to amplify historically ignored voices, resist systemic injustices and imagine a more equitable society.
Both nonprofits are working to drive digital inclusion and literacy in Albuquerque’s inner-city and disadvantaged neighborhoods. Their relationship with Comcast is part of the Project UP initiative, a 10-year, $1 billion pledge from Comcast to advance digital equity through programs and partnerships that connect people to the internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators.
As part of that effort, Comcast continues to be a participant in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides eligible people with up to a $30 per month credit toward their internet and mobile services ($75 per month on tribal lands).
Pat Arreguin, communications and engagement lead for Working Classroom, said the Comcast giveaway will benefit students and families without computers and internet access and also families that may have just one computer for multiple people.
During the pandemic, Working Classroom and its clients learned access to technology is foundational to keep learning and connecting with others during periods of disruption.
“This opens doors for people and allows our student community, in particular, to participate in learning in a variety of ways without having to rely on their school or library for computer access,” Arreguin said. “For instance, during the early days of Covid, people who had computers or smart devices and internet access could participate in the virtual programs we put on, like a teaching artist based in Chicago who hosted a documentary film making class.”
Working Classroom and dozens of other nonprofits and community centers also are benefitting from Comcast’s Lift Zones program, which equips the locations with robust WiFi so students and adults can access critical resources and participate in workforce development trainings and online learning.
Meanwhile, Comcast also donated 25 laptops to Working Classroom. They’ll replace 10-plus-year-old desktop computers that had become a burden to use.
“This is a big asset for us. Having these laptops will allow us to take our workshops to different areas of town, increase our outreach programs and give our interns a chance to do more work out in the field,” Arreguin said. “We’ll also make the laptops available to students who come here seeking a space for the arts and a safe haven to hang out with others and learn. Now, they’ll be able to do that with a sense of digital connectivity and inclusion.”
Learn more about how Comcast is working to bridge the technology divide in low-income communities through its Project UP digital equity initiative.
Laura Newpoff is a freelance writer with The Business Journals Content Studio.
