Bridging the Gap partners with local organizations to distribute 300 computers and internet access to Austin community

Austin, TX, Feb. 27, 2018 -- Bridging the Gap, a nonprofit-led initiative of PCs for People and Mobile Beacon that helps community anchor institutions like housing authorities, schools, libraries and nonprofits provide affordable computers and internet service to individuals and families below the 200% poverty level, is hosting a distribution event to provide technology to hundreds of low income families in Austin, TX.  

The Bridging the Gap distribution event will occur on Friday, March 2nd at El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission. Bridging the Gap will distribute 300 computers and 150 mobile hotspots with three months of unlimited internet service to selected low-income families and individuals from five local community organizations, El Buen Samaritano, Foundation Communities, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, and the Del Valle Independent School District. Community Technology Network will be providing computer training and one-on-one technical assistance during the distribution events and will continue providing ongoing digital literacy classes throughout the city of Austin.

The City of Austin provided 246 computers, and Mobile Beacon donated 150 mobile hotspot devices and provided monetary support for the event. Dr. Sharon Strover and Alexis Schrubbe with The Technology and Information Policy Institute at UT-Austin will be evaluating the program and providing impact statistics. Space for refurbishing the computers was provided by the Austin Hackerspace in their collaborative industrial workshop.

“People’s access to technology has become an important part of every effort to fight hunger, poverty, inequality, and countless other social causes,” says Katherine Messier, executive director of Mobile Beacon. “Through Bridging the Gap, we have an additional way to help nonprofits, schools, and libraries connect more families to the first-class technology they need to fully participate in today’s digital world.”

“Community Technology Network is honored to be part of this event. Having access to a computer and internet at home is essential in order to build digital literacy skills and become confident and proficient, says CTN Executive Director Kami Griffiths. “We look forward to partnering with agencies across Austin to ensure everyone has access to free digital literacy training.”   

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About Mobile Beacon: Mobile Beacon provides high-speed, low-cost, mobile internet access to the anchors of communities: the nonprofits, schools, libraries, and healthcare organizations that provide vital services to millions of Americans every day. Through this broadband service, organizations have an essential tool to fulfill their missions and maximize their philanthropic impact, which allows organizations to access more information, reach more people, and help more in their communities. Learn more at http://www.mobilebeacon.org.

About PCs for People: PCs for People is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides affordable computers, computer repair, and internet service to low-income families and nonprofits across the country. In addition, we provide digital literacy training to people with limited technological experience due to social, physical, or economic circumstances. PCs for People has distributed over 60,000 computers, subscribed thousands of families to low cost internet, and recycled millions of pounds of electronics. Our corporate services include secure IT asset disposition and AAA NAID certified data sanitization. Learn more at www.pcsforpeople.org.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c0ba71c-9d32-4499-9563-08d2d7dea88d

Lauren Yergeau
Mobile Beacon 
401-934-0500
[email protected]