Blog

Verizon is committed to moving everyone forward and that includes providing affordable access to quality phone and internet service for households with limited incomes. SafeLink is yet another way Verizon is working to help California families get the connectivity they need to live their best lives. To learn more about SafeLink, visit www.safelinkwireless.com.

Walter Prescher, a Digital Navigator with Easter Seals Greater Houston BridgingApps, and U.S. Veteran Pete Dibello sat down with us to talk about the importance of internet connectivity to veterans, their families, and those living with disabilities. Walter also addressed the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the need for Congress to extend funding. He warned that many – including those in rural areas – will be crushed if the program doesn’t continue.

Watch the video to learn more.

ICYMI! Navigating the e-commerce landscape can be complex for any small business owner. That’s why we were proud to present this introductory webinar to learn more about how Verizon’s free Small Business Digital Ready program can be leveraged for your enterprise!

Verizon’s SBDR program is committed to providing entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and funding they need to dream big—all for free. We’ll also be discussing how you can apply for a chance to receive a $10K grant from Verizon to further your business.

Watch below to learn about the program!

Verizon’s long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility is a central part of our mission. Through Citizen Verizon, our company-wide responsible business plan, we are leveraging the power of technology and collective action to move the world forward for all.

Hyper-local engagement lies at the heart of this approach. By nurturing grassroots partnerships, we are deepening our societal impact and shaping meaningful advancements in communities across the U.S. Detroit-based partners like CODE313 and Connect 313 serve as a testament to this work as we support their efforts to bridge the digital divide and cultivate the next generation of tech leaders.

Detroit is one of several cities where digital inclusion is an ongoing challenge. Data from the city’s Department of Innovation and Technology shows that more than 30% of families lack computers in the home, relying instead on smartphones (if any device at all).  These disparities hinder meaningful participation in today’s increasingly digital world. That’s why organizations like CODE313 are working to advance digital inclusion by providing equitable access to education in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). 

CODE313 works closely with Detroit public schools to teach primary students foundational tech skills. From shaping courses, classwork, and afterschool programming, to hosting coding camps and other STEAM workshops, CODE313 is preparing students to thrive in the digital age. Events like their free annual STEAM Slam and Virtual STEAM Academy expose young people to a robust curriculum that includes coding, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Since our partnership began in 2019, thousands of K-12 students have participated in Verizon-sponsored CODE313 events, with a majority hailing from marginalized communities. Local Verizon employees take great pride in volunteering at these events, helping with everything from setup to staffing teaching stations on a range of topics.

“Equitable access to STEAM education unlocks a world of possibility,” shares Bartel Welch, founder and executive director of CODE313. “We’re grateful for the continued support of corporate partners like Verizon, which enables us to provide essential resources that pave the way for students’ success.” 

The growing push for digital equity in Detroit inspired the 2020 launch of Connect 313, which convenes residents, policymakers, community-based organizations, and businesses to identify holistic solutions for fostering city-wide digital inclusion. This includes policy advocacy, providing grants to digital equity-focused organizations, and hosting the now annual Detroit Digital Inclusion Week, which Verizon has sponsored for the past four years. 

Brianna Ellison, a director on Verizon’s Public Policy team, is a frequent volunteer with CODE313 and sits on one of Connect 313’s planning subcommittees. “Verizon has seen firsthand that local challenges have local solutions, which is why we love working with these impactful organizations and prioritize equity in our philanthropic investments.”

Our Detroit-based partnerships underscore the value of on-the-ground community engagement. Thousands of local youths have gained invaluable STEAM/STEM skills and career exposure because of these collaborations. Building on this momentum, we recently expanded the Verizon Innovative Learning (VIL) initiative to include three Cornerstone Charter Schools in Detroit. Over three million students nationwide have received digital skills training through VIL. To mark the official program launch earlier this month, we held an event in partnership with education nonprofit, Digital Promise, and the charter school network, where we distributed 1,000 data-enabled devices to students and teachers. In a show-stopping display, students demonstrated their coding mastery by proving that robots really do know how to dance. 

As the lines between technology and daily life become increasingly blurred, locally focused initiatives like these are essential for ensuring that no community gets left behind in the digital age. Detroit exemplifies what’s possible when corporations and communities come together with a shared vision.

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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.

Last weekend, Verizon was proud to take part in the New Orleans Family Justice Center’s incredibly moving 5K Walk, Walk a Mile In My Shoes. The Walk called attention to the recent trend of increased domestic violence cases, and demonstrated the community’s unwavering support for survivors. 

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, victim advocates, allied professionals, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and the surrounding community come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence, celebrate the progress that has been made to end this epidemic, and connect with others working to create change. The event was supported by the City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish Sheriff Office, New Orleans Police Department and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.  These organizations work very closely with NOFJC to help survivors on a daily basis.

Councilmember Helena Moreno and Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson both provided remarks.  Councilmember Moreno also ran in the event! Verizon has been a partner of the NOFJC for years, and Tandra Lemay has been on the Board for 4 years. Verizon was proud to be the title sponsor and participated in the event by having VEC there to distribute information about 5G Home and ACP as well as a team walking–and Verizon swept the top 3 place finishers in the walk portion! 

We’re proud to partner with such an impactful organization. Check out photos from the event, below!

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! At Verizon, we celebrate the rich history and inspiring accomplishments of the Hispanic American Community not only this month, but every month. To everyone, this month means something different—it’s a testament to the robust cultural diversity within the Latino community. Check out the below video to learn a little about what Hispanic Heritage Month means to some of our V-Teamers!

To learn more about Small Business Digital Ready, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdzk8nu7

It’s no secret that owning a small business can be a challenge—especially with the added complexity of navigating the digital landscape. That’s why Verizon is proud of our Small Business Digital Ready platform. Our team was on the ground in Chicago to network with local entrepreneurs, engage in dialogue with small business owners who have leveraged the platform, and share this incredible resource with the community.

Small Business Digital Ready is a free resource which gives entrepreneurs the digital skills they need to thrive online. Whether looking to understand the complexities of the internet or grow their online presence, this one stop shop has the opportunities, courses, and programs any small business needs to not only succeed, but thrive online.

Learn more about this incredible program, and watch a recap of our Chicago event below!

At Verizon, we’re committed to fostering opportunities to spark a lifelong love of STEM among learners of all ages. That’s why we were so excited to partner with the Orlando Science Center to power Science Night Live–an evening designed to give adults hands on science experiences.

Amid world-class speakers, innovative experiments, and laboratory projects, Verizon was proud to feature our 5G Hub Innovators from our local Orlando Lab to engage the local community and showcase how science is impacting the real world. Learn more about this incredible event, and why Verizon is so excited to partner with the Orlando Science Center below!

Back to school season is an exciting but busy time. From school supplies, summer work, new schedules, and more—the season it not without its challenges! That’s why Verizon was onsite at the Houston Mayor’s Back to School Event, which provided new students with the resources they need to get their year off to a great start! The event featured supplies for kids, health screenings, and everything students need—including internet.

Verizon understands that in order to thrive in the digital age, students need high quality internet connectivity. V-teamers were on the ground, sharing information about the Affordable Connectivity Program, which gives qualifying applicants Verizon’s services for free or a reduced cost! Check out the video below to get a glimpse into this incredible event and learn more about how the Affordable Connectivity program is powering students in Houston, and throughout the country!

Verizon knows that, in the digital age, it’s more important than ever that every individual—regardless of age—can navigate the complex online world. From shopping to paying bills to navigating telehealth visits, the online landscape can be daunting, especially for seniors. That’s why our team launched the Cyber Seniors Program!

The Verizon team was on site at the Brooklyn Public Library a few months ago to engage with over 50 participants on best practices on the internet. We covered a whole range of tips and tricks with individuals looking to learn more about the technicalities behind their devices. We discussed social media, apps, sending emails, video chatting, text messages, cyber security and so much more! Watch the video below to learn why we are so excited about this program.