Post from Community: Spectrum announces $40,000 in Spectrum Digital Education grants for Milwaukee nonprofits | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Spectrum
November 2, 2021
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Spectrum today announced Digital Bridge and YWCA Southeast Wisconsin have received a Spectrum Digital Education grant to help promote digital literacy, as part of its five-year, $7 million commitment to digital education in Spectrum communities across the country.
“We applaud both Digital Bridge and YWCA Southeast Wisconsin for their broadband education initiatives and for helping us support efforts that promote digital literacy in the Milwaukee community,” said Rahman Khan, Vice President of Community Impact for Charter Communications, Inc., which operates the Spectrum brand of broadband connectivity products. “Through this partnership with both groups, the Spectrum Digital Education program is able to bring essential resources to those in need, and we look forward to working with them on this transformative project.”
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Digital Bridge will receive a $25,000 grant to support its Bridge Milwaukee program, which refurbishes donated computer technology and makes it available to area families in need. Since its inception, Digital Bridge has received $112,500 from Spectrum through the Spectrum Digital Education grant program, including first-year funding used to support the development of the Bridge Milwaukee program.
“Digital Bridge is honored to be named a Spectrum Digital Education Grant recipient for the 4th year in a row. Our focus has been taking technological resources donated by companies and refurbishing this business-grade equipment to get it into the hands of those who would otherwise lack access,” says Jeff Hanson, Executive Director for Digital Bridge. “With Spectrum’s continued partnership and grant funding, we’ve added a layer of education and access training with our Bridge Milwaukee program to help individuals confidently take the equipment and utilize it to improve their lives.”
YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, which offers the region’s most robust community-based adult education program, will receive a grant of $15,000 to support the integration of expanded digital skills training into its adult education services.  Building on a broader goal of improving overall digital literacy in the community, the grant will also support the initial development of a stand-alone, a la carte digital skills model.
Jennifer de Montmollin, Chief Program Officer at YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, noted, “We are thrilled to receive this Spectrum Digital Education Grant, which will provide our existing adult education students opportunities to expand their digital competency, supporting further education and enhanced employment options. Spectrum’s support is vital as we develop digital skilling opportunities for them and future opportunities for the community-at-large.”
The organizations are two of 49 nonprofit organizations that Spectrum is supporting through 2021 Spectrum Digital Education grants. Since launching Spectrum Digital Education in 2017, Spectrum has donated $7 million in cash and in-kind contributions for digital literacy programs reaching nearly 70,000 people in 20 states and Washington, D.C. More information about Spectrum Digital Education is available here.
“The grants awarded to Digital Bridge and the YWCA of SE Wisconsin are extremely encouraging,” said state Sen. La Tonya Johnson. “Spectrum is helping to provide digital skills training and access to technology at a challenging time, and I commend Spectrum for playing an important role in helping to bridge the digital divide in Milwaukee.”
Charter sponsors several philanthropic programs in addition to Spectrum Digital Education, including Spectrum Scholars, a scholarship for under-represented college juniors in financial need; Spectrum Employee Community Grants, which supports Charter employees’ local volunteer activities; and the Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund, which supports small and minority-owned businesses whose goods and services help meet core needs in financially underserved communities within the company’s footprint. More information about Charter’s philanthropic initiatives is available here.
About Spectrum
Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than
31 million customers in 41 states. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice.
For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.