United Way's ambitious move to address Tarrant County’s digital gap

Fort Worth, Texas - In an effort to combat the pressing issue of digital disparity, the United Way of Tarrant County has secured a $350,000 grant. This grant aims to boost awareness about the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program in specified ZIP codes. This program is designed to provide eligible households a monthly subsidy of up to $30 for internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for purchasing devices such as laptops or tablets.

Chris Alvarado, Vice President of Community Investment at United Way, highlighted that their organization is uniquely positioned in Tarrant County to benefit from this funding for the current fiscal year.

“This is one opportunity for us to utilize resources to address one of the most significant problems — the digital divide,” mentioned Alvarado.

Recent data from the Texas Broadband Development Office has shown that over 7 million Texans lacked a broadband connection last year. Responding to this, United Way of Tarrant County is gearing up for extensive outreach initiatives, which Alvarado suggests will begin in the coming month.

The organization intends to organize community events and launch a digital marketing campaign, complemented by a dedicated website. Additionally, direct mailers are planned to be sent to roughly 125,000 households to optimize awareness.

Morgan Johnson has been recruited as the Outreach Coordinator for this endeavor. The two-year goal for United Way of Tarrant County is to enroll approximately 1,750 households into the Affordable Connectivity Program, focusing on residents within ZIP codes: 76010, 76103, 76104, 76105, 76110, 76112, 76115, 76119, and 76164.

Kenny Mosley, head of the Renaissance Heights Foundation, stated that preliminary conversations with United Way of Tarrant County are ongoing about a potential collaboration. Their collective aim is to improve broadband accessibility for underserved households, as stated by Mosley.

The urgency for internet accessibility became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Way of Tarrant County recognized that digital disparity amplified inequalities during these times. Similarly, the Tarrant Area Food Bank, which had been communicating digitally, encountered challenges in reaching certain demographic groups. In response, they had to rely on traditional communication methods like word-of-mouth.

Legislative measures addressing internet accessibility have also been progressing in Congress. The potential for partnerships between organizations such as Mosley's foundation and the United Way of Tarrant County indicates a unified and active strategy to reduce digital inequality.

Reflecting on the broader implications of digital connectivity, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey and Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote in an Aug. 23 column for The Dallas Morning News, “As so much of our lives moved online, it became crystal clear that broadband has become indispensable for work, school, health care and so much more.”

Mosley, in conversations with local teachers, discovered that although Fort Worth ISD provided technology for students from low-income backgrounds, some did not take devices home due to lack of internet access.

“The internet is no longer a luxury,” Mosley emphasized. “It’s a necessity for everyone, especially families.”

Credit: Dallas Metro News