On Wednesday, December 13th, Eastgate presented a $50,000 check to the Oakhill Collaborative (OHC) in their efforts to establish local OHC Neighborhood Digital Learning Centers in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties.
The objective of the OHC Neighborhood Digital Learning Centers is to deploy digital navigators into the neighborhoods to improve the digital literacy of our area by encouraging more families and individuals to get connected through low-cost/free access to the internet along with educational resources that teach the value of broadband and how to use it safely and efficiently.
Eastgate Executive Director Jim Kinnick, Broadband Coordinator Steve Kristan, and Oak Hill Collaborative Executive Director Pat Kerrigan each gave comments on the investment and the important work it will support.
“Building upon the foundation and recommendation of the Regional Broadband Feasibility Study, Eastgate believes the implementation of the OHC Neighborhood Digital Learning Centers will be successful because of the experience of the Oak Hill Collaborative plus the reliance on collaboration and cooperation where talents, opportunities, and resources are shared by partners with a common goal – all at the neighborhood level,” said Kinnick.
Kerrigan expressed appreciation for the continuing collaboration between Eastgate and OHC as Oak Hill continues to try to bring digital opportunities to those who have historically been underserved.
“The ideal client for the OHC Digital Learning Center is someone who has an interest in learning and needs help and encouragement,” said Kerrigan, “and wants to remain in their neighborhood”.