Grants From Prudential Will Help Bridge Digital Divides In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Prudential recently made a pair of donations that will help bridge digital divides in the company’s home city of Newark.

Earlier this month, national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas announced that it received a $1 million, multi-year grant from Prudential Financial to support its program operations in Newark. The goal is to help prepare low-income and minority communities for jobs in the growing tech sector.

According to a news release, over the next three years, the funds will be used to enroll more than 500 students in training tracks such as cloud data management, software engineering, network support, and cybersecurity as a way to meet local employer needs. In addition to tuition-free curriculum, Per Scholas Newark students will also receive career support services, financial coaching, and networking opportunities with a variety of Fortune 500 hiring partners.

Eligible students will include job seekers who are 18 and older, have a high school degree or equivalent, and have an interest in entering the technology workforce.

“Prudential is a proud supporter and partner of Per Scholas,” said Shané Harris, vice president of inclusive solutions at Prudential Financial and president of the Prudential Foundation.

“Now more than ever, Newarkers should have the opportunity to learn in-demand skills and succeed in a high-performing career,” Harris said. “Per Scholas is cultivating an incredible and diverse pipeline of talent that companies like Prudential must continue to tap into to create a fully inclusive workplace.”

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

In November, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) announced that it has partnered with Prudential to invest $1 million to help “bridge the digital divide” in Newark exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

When Newark closed its schools to in-person learning in March as the coronavirus pandemic began making its way through New Jersey, it exposed a “digital divide” in Newark with thousands of students unable to participate in remote learning because they lacked computer devices or Wi-Fi access at home. Without access, students in districts that have gone remote are at a major disadvantage.

• See related article: Some Newark Schools Face Laptop Shortages, Leaving Families To Find Their Own Devices

Newark is receiving a $500,000 grant from NJPRF to match a $500,000 grant from Prudential that will provide funding for Newark Public Schools as well as funds for charter schools that will be distributed through the New Jersey Children’s Foundation.

The NJPRF grant to Newark will allow the Newark Public School district to purchase higher end computers needed by students enrolled in career and technical education classes. Such classes typically require students to use sophisticated software that does not run on less expensive Chromebooks.

“We are truly humbled and thankful for the generosity of both the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund and Prudential,” said Superintendent Roger León.

“We all know the impact of the digital divide and these grants will help us tremendously as we ensure that every single child in the city of Newark has the technology they need to receive the top-flight education they deserve,” León said.

Another $237,000 from NJPRF and Prudential will also be made available to charter schools who will be able to apply for the funding through the New Jersey Children’s Foundation, a Newark nonprofit that works to support public education in the city.

• See related article: Newark Nonprofit Says Public, Charter Schools Can Co-Exist

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know about a local organization that should be profiled, contact eric.kiefer@patch.com.

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