Grants to Cumberland County organizations will help bridge digital divide
Seven organizations in Cumberland County are launching programs to increase digital literacy, provide access to devices and teach people how to stay safe online.
The projects received funding through a program administered by the Greater Portland Council of Governments, with support from the Maine Connectivity Authority. The goal is to help people overcome barriers to digital technology.
“People from across Cumberland County struggle to get online due to a lack of available and affordable internet, internet-connected devices, one-on-one technical support and digital skills education,” said Clara McCool, the council’s regional broadband program manager. “As a result, thousands of Mainers struggle to find employment, continue their education and access their medical provider.”
The grant program funds organizations that work with vulnerable populations, bringing resources to individuals who need it the most and helping to bridge the state’s digital divide.
So far, $31,600 of $46,000 has been distributed from the Cumberland County Digital Equity Stipend Program.
McCool said the council would distribute the additional money this year and next year.
Organizations can use the funds to pay for stipends or salaries for additional staff time needed to administer digital equity programming, to purchase devices for individuals to use on site or loan out, outfit spaces for remote work and digital skills classes, and for other programs or trainings that promote digital equity in the region.
Libraries, adult education centers, tribal organizations and nonprofit organizations in Cumberland County all can apply for funding. For more information, click here.
Hotspots
Bridgton Public Library received a grant to buy five mobile hotspots to be loaned with the library’s Chromebook computers. The library is offering Chromebooks for checkout to people who have taken computer-skills classes and are considering purchasing their own devices, as well as those who are not able to afford their own.
“We know that people need internet access for a wide variety of reasons, including online education, signing up for government services, banking and online bill payments, and accessing health resources,” said Amy Stone, the library’s director.
“While we offer free wireless here at our building, it is not always possible for people to get to us if transportation is also a barrier they face. This hotspot lending program will meet a real and serious need here in our community."
iPads and adult ed
Bonny Eagle Adult Education in Buxton received funds to buy iPads for high school completion classes, English classes for new immigrants and workforce preparation.
By providing digital literacy education, the program provides students with the opportunity to enhance their education by learning to read, learning English, studying for their diplomas and preparing for higher education. All academic students use devices to access online software to help them with their classes.
The devices are also used in clinical medical assistant classes. Those students face multiple challenges, including economic ones, and being able to use a device in class is a great opportunity.
“We used the stipend to purchase iPads that are being used by our multilingual students and our HiSET [High School Equivalency Test] students,” said Linda Winton, director of Bonny Eagle Adult Education. “We also use them for students who are taking evening classes via Zoom and need a device in order to participate.”
Digital training
Hope Acts said it would use the funds for its newly launched digital training classes, to pay for additional staff or contractor time as well as equipment.
The Portland nonprofit works with new asylum seekers in Maine. A recent survey of the organization’s new housing clients showed that nearly 70% were computer-illiterate, according to a news release.
Hope Acts plan to teach them computer basics like using email and Zoom, as well as topics like internet safety and avoiding scams.
The goal is to provide new asylum seekers with technology and training so they can easily and safely navigate computer use, with a focus on "survival skills" such as attending classes online, filling out forms for assistance with basic needs and to maintain an online account for their immigration cases.
The organization said that immigrants are easy targets of scammers, so a critical goal is to ensure new computer users know how to identify and avoid scams.
The ability to use a computer is critical to obtaining community services, accessing important immigration case information, obtaining a job and moving towards social and financial independence.
"We've seen more and more of our work at Hope Acts move to electronic submissions — asylum application, work permit authorization, even registering for English classes,” said Sarah Gauvin, Hope Acts’ English language program and education manager.
“Because of this, we're finding it essential to expand our services and offer digital training to our students and clients, allowing them to acquire familiarity with word processing, email, internet navigation and so much more.”
The stipend is allowing the nonprofit to train staff and expand its capacity to include the service in its programming.
Tech classes
In Her Presence said it is using the funds to expand its English language and technology instruction to a predominantly female immigrant population.
With increased arrivals of immigrants into Maine, more and more new arrivals have little to no English language skills. In Her Presence said it wants to expand to meet the needs of this vulnerable population.
In addition, the ability to access and use emerging computer-based technology is a critical skill set in today's job market. In Her Presence recently started offering two technology classes — technology for beginners and technology for business. The classes are popular and the organization wants to double the number of participants from 25 to 50.
The funds will be used to directly support the class participants with printed learning materials, by increasing the number of computers and tablets for practice use and by contributing to the pay of the information technology teachers.
“Thanks to the GPCOG stipend, we were able to increase our number of tablets by 22, effectively doubling the number of students in our beginner English online classes,” said Mary Faulkner, the organization’s chief impact officer.
“Most of the participants in this level are immigrant mothers with young children who lack child care and/or transportation, so learning at home is there best and only option for learning.”
Outfitting classrooms
Avesta Housing said it would use the funds to purchase blinds and a projector for Avesta's West End community room. South Portland Adult Education is using the community room to offer several English language learning classes, and would like to expand to include computer classes.
The classroom is too bright to offer classes other than at night. South Portland Adult Education will be able to incorporate technology into their English language learning curriculum once their room has blinds and a projector.
“We’re really pleased to have opportunities to help bridge the digital equity divide for Avesta residents,” said Nick Kjeldgaard, Avesta’s resident services manager. “The stipend helps us accomplish this by providing technical and functional improvements to community spaces so that our adult education partners can expand and improve their class offerings.”
Accessing resources
Unified Asian Communities and Black Owned Maine said their uses of the grants will open new opportunities.
Unified Asian Communities is purchasing two tablets for its cultural brokers and volunteers to help immigrants access state programs, such as MaineCare. The group will also work with the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project to help people apply for asylum and renew green cards. The goal is also to offer virtual workshops to educate people about their rights as well as healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate food preparation.
Black Owned Maine is using the funding to purchase laptops for clients to work with business consultants to submit online applications and documents and to better access resources.
Black Owned Maine will also utilize funds to equip its office for remote training and workshops, as well as contract with a web designer to update its website for easier accessibility. It will also expand its business consulting services, so that more clients can attend remote training classes and workshops.
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