Spectrum presents Oasis Institute in O’Fallon with $30,000 digital education grant

 

Spectrum recently announced the presentation of a $30,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant to the Oasis Institute in O’Fallon, Ill., for its Connections program, which offers technology classes for older adults. The grant is part of the broadband connectivity provider’s six-year, $8 million commitment to promote digital education and broadband technology in communities across the country.

The Oasis Institute will use the funding to provide additional training resources and materials in Spanish, and offer 300 virtual and in-person Connections classes nationwide. These programs help older adults say connected with family and friends while reducing isolation in these age groups.

“Since the pandemic, many essential services related to employment, education and health care have moved online, leaving the unserved and underserved even further disconnected from the resources needed to successfully navigate today’s world,” said Rahman Khan, group vice president of Community Impact for Charter. “The funds granted through Spectrum Digital Education directly support organizations that aim to bridge the digital divide in communities where our customers live and work.”

The $30,000 grant is the fifth Spectrum Digital Education grant for the Oasis Institute, bringing Spectrum’s financial support for the organization to $135,000 over the past six years.

“The Oasis Institute is grateful for the continued support from, and partnership with, Spectrum for our digital literacy education efforts in the St. Louis area and beyond,” said Paul Weiss, Oasis Institute president. “The disparities in digital skills and access were amplified during the pandemic, and we are committed to continuing our work to increase confidence, competence and social connection through digital skills education for those who need it most.”

Spectrum spokesperson Wes Shirley added, “This grant is from our 2022 Spectrum Digital Education program cycle. The check presentation was held as part of an ‘Ask a Techie’ class, a free class presented by the Oasis Institute, held at the AgeSmart Community Resources Center in O’Fallon. The Oasis Institute is one of 47 nonprofit organizations that Spectrum is supporting through its 2022 Spectrum Digital Education grant program. In all, the company will invest $1.1 million this year to support digital literacy in underserved rural and urban communities within Spectrum’s 41-state service area. Spectrum launched the program in 2017, recognizing that education and digital literacy are as important as affordability relative to a household’s lack of broadband services.”

More information about Spectrum Digital Education and Charter’s philanthropic initiatives to support communities is available here. Nonprofit organizations that offer broadband education, training and technology can apply to be considered for the grant here from Thursday, June 1 at 9 a.m. EDT through Friday, June 23 at 5 p.m. EDT. Grant recipients will be announced in late summer.