ACP en la Comunidad: Dr. Alister Martin (Link Health) & Carmen Lopez (Español)

Más de 22 millones de hogares estadounidenses están utilizando el Programa de Conectividad Asequible (ACP) para obtener acceso asequible a banda ancha. Con eso, obtienen acceso a los recursos que necesitan para el trabajo, la escuela, la atención médica y más. ¿Hasta cuándo podrán contar con ello? En una carta compartida por primera vez con CBS News, la presidenta de la FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel, advirtió al Congreso que los fondos se agotarán en abril. Dijo que “el ACP está en peligro y, sin financiación adicional, podríamos perder el progreso significativo que este programa ha logrado para cerrar la brecha digital”.

Carmen López, beneficiaria del ACP de Boston, nos habló sobre el impacto que el ACP ha tenido en su familia y dijo: “Espero que el ACP no se desconecte para que pueda ayudar a familias como la mía y otras”. La Sra. López, su hija y el Dr. Alister Martin, fundador y director ejecutivo de Link Health, aparecen en nuestro último video de ACP en la comunidad. Mire las versiones en inglés y español del video para escuchar su opinión sobre el papel fundamental que desempeña el ACP en la conexión de hogares y cómo puede ayudar a mejorar los resultados de salud.

Shaping the Next Generation of Tech & Telecom Leaders in St. Louis

In our ongoing series highlighting Verizon’s hyper-local approach to corporate social responsibility and  community-based partnerships that make this work possible – today, we turn our focus to St. Louis, where the city’s challenges are met with locally tailored solutions.

The rate of youth disconnection in St. Louis, young people (ages 16-24) who are not enrolled in school or training programs nor working, is a critical issue facing the city. Nearly 11% of youth in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area are considered disconnected, according to research from the Social Science Research Council. Moreover, Black youth in the city are 67% more likely than their white counterparts to be impacted by this issue. While the contributing factors can vary, disconnection is often associated with other overlapping disparities such as educational or housing inequities.

Dream Builders 4 Equity (DB4E), our partner in St. Louis, is working to address this issue. Founded in 2016, DB4E takes an innovative approach to workforce development, educating youth in construction, financial literacy, and property investment while enabling them to reinvest these skills in their communities. Young people who participate in the program apply their newfound skills on construction projects within the city. The organization is on track to refurbish 50 properties in the Hyde Park area of northern St. Louis by 2050, with a broader mission “to develop economically sustainable and socially engaged communities” by advancing equity for youth, businesses, residents, and real estate.

During summer 2023, Verizon partnered with DB4E Summer Youth Academy and DB4E’s long-term  telecom construction business partner, ADB Companies, to launch a workforce development program that introduces youth to regional jobs in telecom construction . Dozens of young people attended day trips at an ADB facility to observe telecom professionals in the field. They also participated in mentorship and shadowing opportunities to broaden their understanding of the industry’s diverse roles.

Programs like Summer Youth Academy are timely given the federal government’s plans to provide Missouri with more than $1.7 billion for broadband development through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This historic investment amplifies the need for trained professionals to build networks that will connect all Missourians, making the Summer Youth Academy program even more essential.

“The partnership between Verizon and ADB has been invaluable,” said Michael Woods, President & CEO of DB4E. “The opportunity to see high-paying career opportunities and learn from committed professionals is essential to youth being successful in the future.” 

Laying the groundwork for a successful STEM workforce pipeline begins with early education. That’s why, for more than 10 years, Verizon has invested in our Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program, exposing middle and high school students to emerging technologies via a hands-on, project-based curriculum. The program recently expanded to include four schools in St. Louis Public Schools.  Verizon  continues to support the pipeline of new tech talent through TechLAUNCH, a new program with the nonprofit TechSTL that aims to train 10,000 underserved residents in critical tech skills for jobs of the future. 

“Together with local partners like Dream Builders 4 Equity, Verizon is committed to leveraging our resources to co-create initiatives tailored to community needs,” said Mackenzie Alberti, Verizon’s local representative. “In St. Louis, expanding career development opportunities for youth is a critical step towards shaping a more diverse and engaged workforce. We’re focused on bolstering STEM inclusivity to help cultivate the next generation of tech and telecom leaders.”

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US Tech Future is a Verizon-led community-focused initiative working to engage local communities in a discussion about technology and how it can improve the lives of local residents for their benefit and the benefit of the community as a whole.

Small Business Digital Ready in Baltimore

Our Small Business Digital Ready Series is back, and this time we’re highlighting the work we’re doing with entrepreneurs in Baltimore! We’re on a mission to partner with 1 million+ Small Businesses to give them the tools they need to thrive in the digital age. This comprehensive, free resources offers mentorship, informative courses, networking sessions, technical information, grant opportunities and so much more.

Learn more about how we’re giving Baltimore-based entrepreneurs the skills needed to grow their online presence, watch the video, and learn about SBDR here.

Small Business Digital Ready in Philadelphia

Verizon was excited to stop by Philadelphia for another Small Business Digital Ready Lunch & Learn series! We engaged with local entrepreneurs to give them insight into this comprehensive, FREE resource to help them navigate running a small business in the digital age. To see how we’re supporting businesses in Philadelphia and beyond, watch the video!

Learn more about this program and sign up here: https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/digital-inclusion/small-business-training

Total by Verizon in Inglewood, CA

Total by Verizon celebrated one year since it first launched to consumers, bringing no-contract wireless on the Verizon network to value-conscious consumers. Since then, Total by Verizon has launched in more than 50,000 national retail locations and has opened hundreds of Total by Verizon exclusive stores throughout the country, with hundreds more planned for the remainder of the year.

In September, the brand celebrates its expanding Los Angeles footprint with an open house event at its newest store opening in Inglewood, CA, located at 11336 Crenshaw Boulevard. The event featured remarks from Total by Verizon leadership and a celebration with local city council members, city staff leaders, and the community at large.

Verizon Announces Verizon Forward Community Enhancement Awards Across the Country

Verizon is proud to be the network moving the world #forwardtogether. That’s why they are launching the Verizon Forward Community Enhancement Award for ten organizations advancing digital equity across the country.

These grants will be used to give individuals of all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more the digital skills they need to thrive. Click below to learn more about how they are bridging the digital divide in this nationwide initiative!


Maine:

Verizon awards $100K to Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce to advance digital equity in Maine, 11/21/23

Massachusetts:

Verizon grants $100K to Associated Industries of Massachusetts to launch digital inclusion program, 11/21/23

New York:

Verizon invests $400K in NYC small businesses to advance digital inclusion, economic prosperity, 11/10/23

Verizon invests $100K to support Small Business Digital Inclusion in New York State, 11/09/23

DC, Philadelphia & Baltimore:

Verizon, Centri Tech Foundation team up to boost digital inclusion in DC, Philadelphia and Baltimore, 11/09/23

Verizon partners with African-American & Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in greater Philadelphia area, 11/08/23

Missouri:

Verizon Grants $100K to TechSTL to Launch Digital Inclusion Digital Inclusion Program, 12/5/23

Ohio:

Verizon grants $100K to African American Chamber of Commerce to launch digital inclusion program, 12/6/23

Safelink (Español)

Verizon se compromete a hacer avanzar a todos y eso incluye proporcionar acceso asequible a un servicio telefónico y de Internet de calidad para los hogares con ingresos limitados. SafeLink es otra forma en que Verizon está trabajando para ayudar a las familias de California a obtener la conectividad que necesitan para vivir sus mejores vidas. ¡Contáctenos hoy para inscribirse en SafeLink!

Be a community partner in the 4th industrial revolution.

Learn More

US Tech Future is a Verizon-led community-focused initiative working to engage the local community in a discussion about technology and how it can improve the lives of local residents for their benefit and the benefit of the community as a whole.

Our mission is to engage with citizens and community stakeholders in USA to provide information on how technology can work to have a dramatic impact on the way we work and live in our communities.

@TheUSTechFuture