The City’s Access for All (AFA) program, part of Seattle IT’s Digital Equity Program, is an important public-private partnership with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) working to bridge the digital divide. Comcast, Astound Broadband and Lumen partner with the City to support local non-profit organizations working to provide technology and/or digital literacy services to underserved, low-income, or other vulnerable populations. These businesses are instrumental in helping connect the non-profits with free internet service, giving them the ability to have internet service to help connect clients/residents more fully participate in the expanding digital ecosystem.
In Seattle’s South Park neighborhood, a recent visit to the South Park Neighborhood Center, located in the historic Fire Station No. 26, highlighted how the free internet service provided by Lumen and Comcast is instrumental in supporting internet access and digital literacy skills in the area. The Center is home to Villa Comunitaria and the South Park Senior Citizens program, two non-profits participating in the Access for All program.
Villa Comunitaria has been serving the needs of Seattle’s Latine/x community since 2005m. They offer programs to support residents with systems navigation, human services, economic development, skills and leadership development, early learning, citizenship, voter education and community engagement, so participants can thrive and prosper. For Villa Comunitaria, operating to meet growing needs on a shoestring budget, Lumen’s free AFA internet connection is an essential foundation for their daily programs, staff and clients – many who do not have home access to internet and rely solely on a mobile phone for connectivity.
Villa Comunitaria staff use the Lumen connection to do remote support work with clients, but largely to help in-person clients. The Wi-Fi it provided in the office allows each appointment to be an opportunity for staff to walk clients through how to apply online for services and benefits. Clients learn how to use the internet and technology to navigate other aspects of education, immigration, health, housing, and legal systems. Staff assists clients but also encourages repeat visitors to bring their own device to use while in an appointment, improving their comfort with using the internet. In one example, a staff member was able to support a resident, who is the main caregiver for an autistic son, through the series of on-line steps (e.g., court hearings, tests) required to obtain U.S. Citizenship and give her stability as a caregiver. The Wi-Fi also supports group events hosted and facilitated by Villa Comunitaria, such as a recent Safety Planning event. The event helped Latinx residents create a plan in the event a caregiver was to be unexpectedly detained or deported. Attendees used the Wi-Fi to do searches, get documents to be notarized on-site, and gather other information needed for their family’s preparedness plan.
The South Park Senior Citizens program is a community hub focused on supporting seniors in having healthy and active lives. The Senior program uses its Comcast AFA connection to provide Wi-Fi in the Neighborhood Center community room, where it hosts its community dining program, support services, exercise classes, cultural celebrations, and evening activities. Many seniors participating in the programs have learned to use the WhatsApp free messaging and video calling app to stay connected with out- of -country family and friends. They rely on the community space Wi-Fi for internet searches and information gathering while waiting for activities and services, and foster a community connection by sharing photos during activities, especially the popular sit-down senior meal program offered three times a week.
For Villa Comunitaria and the South Park Senior Citizens program, the internet connectivity from Lumen and Comcast through the AFA program has been essential for supporting staff and clients, increasing digital inclusion and digital navigation opportunities. More importantly, Lumen and Comcast’s generosity to provide the service at no-cost is significant as the organizations struggle to meet growing community needs while operating on “shoestring” budgets.
For more information on this public-private partnership program, see Access for All (AFA). See Villa Comunitaria and South Park Senior Citizens for information or involvement opportunities with these great South Park non-profit community organizations.