Spectrum Awards $20,000 Spectrum Digital Education Grant to Greenwich House
Organization Will Use Spectrum’s Support Towards Digital Education at its Lifelong Skills and Opportunity Center for Older Adult, Immigrant, and Low-Income Communities
New York, NY – November 4, 2024 – Spectrum today announced Greenwich House has received a $20,000 grant through its 2024 Spectrum Digital Education program. This year, the program is awarding a total of $1.3 million to 66 organizations. Since launching in 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has committed more than $10 million to nonprofits focused on improving digital literacy, workforce development and educational access in unserved and undeserved communities across Charter’s 41-state service area.
This latest grant is the second Spectrum Digital Education Grant awarded to Greenwich House, bringing Spectrum’s total support for the organization to $50,000 over the past two years.
“Connectivity is the foundation for meaningful learning, professional growth and human connection, and helps to build strong, thriving communities,” said Mike Williams, Regional Vice President of the NYC Region for Spectrum. “Spectrum Digital Education supports programs that empower community members to enhance their lives with connectivity, from providing digital literacy training to seniors to connecting students with important resources and tools for their education.”
Greenwich House will utilize the funding to expand access to digital literacy and workforce development program at its Lifelong Skills and Opportunity Center, offered free of charge to Manhattan residents aged 60+ with limited mobility, immigrants, and those living on fixed incomes.
The Lifelong Skills and Opportunity Center was created to build pathways for underrepresented populations by providing comprehensive workforce training, adult education, job search support and job placement. The Lifelong Skills and Opportunity Center offers a technology curriculum geared towards seniors to improve their technology skills. The curriculum includes weekly classes such as Computer Basics, Cyber for Seniors, Email 101, How to Use Social Media, Make Computers Easy, MS Word and Excel, Using Your iPhone and Zoom 101.
“At Greenwich House, we’re committed to opening doors to opportunity while serving as a hub of civic activity and connection for our neighbors,” said Darren Bloch, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Greenwich House. “Thank you to Spectrum for modeling how local employers can partner to drive local training and employment. With this invaluable support, our Lifelong Skills and Opportunity Center can further its mission to equip older adults, immigrants, and community members facing economic barriers with the digital literacy and workforce skills needed to thrive. Together, we’re building stronger, more connected communities and empowering individuals to seize new possibilities.”
Founded in 1902 as a settlement house to help New York City’s immigrant population adjust to life in a new country, Greenwich House serves more than 20,000 individuals annually, responding to urgent, ongoing, and diverse needs by offering health and human services, education, and arts programs that foster wellness, creativity, and connection. The organization serves as a hub of civic activity and a go-to community resource for neighbors, institutions, government, and social innovators.
Celebrating the 66 Spectrum Digital Education Champions
Through direct support of nonprofit partners across Spectrum’s service area, Spectrum Digital Education has helped distribute over 18,500 laptops and sponsor more than 40,000 digital education classes, benefiting over 163,000 community members since 2017. This year, Greenwich House is one of 66 nonprofit organizations across the country that has been awarded a 2024 Spectrum Digital Education grant.
Locally, Greenwich House is one of five New York City area recipients of the 2024 Spectrum Digital Education grant. El Puente, First Corinthian Baptist Church Community Development Corporation, Public Housing Community Fund and The STEM Alliance also received grants.
More information about Spectrum Digital Education and Charter’s philanthropic initiatives to support communities is available here.