FOR, FROM AND BY THE COMMUNITY.
This has always been our guiding principle when seeking new, innovative and collaborative solutions for bridging the digital divide in Essex County. And since launching our collaborative Advancing Digital Equity initiative in June 2021, those words have consistently served as a reminder for why we do the work we do – together.
On April 26, we invite you to see this model in action – live – at the Digital Equity Challenge 2.0, which takes place at the Innovation Hub Haverhill, starting at 6pm. The finalists have been chosen and now it’s time for applicants to pitch their ideas on how to increase access to devices, broadband and digital literacy programming for the thousands of people in Essex County who aren’t yet connected to the digital world. ECCF is so proud to partner with UMASS Lowell’s Innovation Hub, EforALL Merrimack Valley and the UMASS Lowell RIST DifferenceMaker Institute for this live pitch competition.
More information on the Digital Equity Challenge can be found below, in addition to news and stories about how cross-sector collaboration is empowering us, as a community, to tackle the issue of digital equity together, and at its roots.
Finally, in lieu of our June coalition meeting, I’d also like to extend a personal invitation once again to ECCF’s State of the County event on June 1 at Endicott College in Beverly. This gathering of more than 400 cross-sector leaders will highlight new Impact Essex County data and put into context big picture trends as well as what the indicators mean for each of our cities and towns. Registration information can be found below. We hope to see you there.
For, from and by the community. This is our goal for digital equity at ECCF. And I encourage you to reach out anytime with ideas, questions and thoughts about this collaborative work.
Sincerely,
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Kate Machet
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Government Relations
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DIGITAL EQUITY NEWS FROM ECCF & PARTNERS |
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Essex County collaboration leads to expansion of critical digital equity programming
April 5, 2023 | ECCF Story
A successful, collaborative digital equity program piloted in Essex County is now being used as a model to expand work to connect residents with devices, broadband access and training across the state.
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Affordable Connectivity Program: “The data shows there’s still a need.”
April 5, 2023 | ECCF Story
Recent data from The Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University reveals that while many Essex County residents still lack access to broadband, some communities are faring better than others when it comes to connecting people through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
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Local digital equity work highlighted at national conference
April 10, 2023 | ECCF Story
On April 4, ECCF, Boston-based nonprofit Tech Goes Home (TGH) and the Center for State Policy Analysis (cSPA) at Tufts University were invited to speak in front of a national audience of funders about a partnership that is not only providing access to devices and broadband, but also the training to use these tools to effectively navigate the digital world. In particular, the partnership was tapped to discuss how data drives decisions about where philanthropic investments might have the most impact.
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ECCF & PARTNERS IN THE NEWS |
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Feb. 20, 2023 | Daily News of Newburyport
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March 23, 2023 | Lawrence Eagle Tribune
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Digital Equity Challenge
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | 6pm
Innovation Hub Haverhill
Join the UMASS Lowell Innovation Hub, ECCF, EforALL Merrimack Valley and the UMASS Lowell RIST DifferenceMaker Institute for the Digital Equity Challenge 2.0. Applications have been submitted. Finalists have been chosen. And now here’s your chance to hear live pitches from innovators seeking to help bridge the digital divide in Essex County.
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The State of Essex County
Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 4-7pm
Endicott College, Beverly
Join ECCF as we bring together leaders from the public, private and social sectors to take a closer look at Essex County through the lens of the latest Impact Essex County data release. From big picture trends to what the indicators mean to each of our cities and towns, we’ll explore what’s next for our region. We’ll also celebrate the partnerships that are working to build a more vibrant, more resilient Essex County.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES |
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Request or Donate Computers
The TEK Collaborative is a nonprofit organization helping to close the digital divide by collecting, refurbishing and distributing computers to people who don’t have one. If your organization needs devices to support your mission or your clients, please click here to fill out the easy request form. If you have devices to donate, please contact TEK Collaborative Executive Director Jeff Williams.
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Massachusetts Digital Equity Fellowship Initiative
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute has partnered with the Lead for America American Connection Corps program to establish a first-of-its-kind digital equity fellowship opportunity in Massachusetts. With additional financial contributions from Comcast, MBI and Lead for America will place 15 fellows at organizations across the Commonwealth, including in tribal lands, working to close the digital divide.
Applications to become an ACC Massachusetts Fellow are due June 15, 2023.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS |
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