News Release - Sister Carmen Community Center

News Release

35 Mile Foundation
Cassie.Bair@35Mile.org
(720) 244.3503

35 Mile Foundation Funds Digital Navigator Position at Sister Carmen Community Center
Position will focus on increasing Boulder County residents’ digital skills

Boulder, CO, (October 8, 2024) - Sister Carmen Community Center (SCCC) in Lafayette, Colorado has received a grant from 35 Mile Foundation to fund a part-time digital navigator position focused on increasing digital skills for the clients served by SCCC. The position will tag team with another digital navigator funded through The Learning Source, giving SCCC the ability to not only hold digital skills classes, but also do individual problem solving. Even applying for much needed assistance, such as government housing or SNAP, requires internet access and digital skills. 

"As a Family Resource Center, we work on the front lines with individuals and families in crisis to connect them to resources that help them build resiliency. Those resources and access to them are increasingly digital and our partnership with the 35 Mile Foundation enables us to provide individualized support to help our most vulnerable community members bridge the Digital Divide. Unlike large National Foundations who are not specifically focused on Digital Inclusion, 35 Mile is agile and can act rapidly to direct funding to very strategic and targeted programs and needs that reflect their mission to support a sustainable equity ecosystem in Boulder County. We appreciate the ease and transparency of the funding process and the ability to work with a team that truly understands the importance of supporting local efforts.", states Lara Van Matre, digital equity programs coordinator, SCCC.  

Sister Carmen Community Center will keep data throughout the year of this pilot program. The data will then be used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program and expand funding to help more people. If the data shows a positive impact on increasing digital literacy, SCCC hopes to be able to have funding for a full-time position. One benefit of the position is that SCCC can work with other agencies to provide services. If residents at a senior center need help, the person can teach skills at the senior center. This allows more people to more fully participate safely in the digital world. If the data shows a positive impact, SCCC hopes to be able to have funding for a full-time position. More than 1800 people have participated in the Bridging Digital Divides program so far. This new resource will help to increase the number of people served. 

35 Mile Foundation is focused on increasing digital equity through grants,collaboration, and internet access. Generously funded through telecom revenue, the organization’s goals include funding positions that remove barriers to participation in society, such as learning digital skills and having access to affordable high-speed internet. Funding SCCC’s new digital navigator position aligns perfectly with 35 Mile Foundation’s mission which is to help historically marginalized people step across the digital divide. SCCC hopes to have the new position on board by the beginning of December 2024.

About 35 Mile Foundation

The 35 Mile Foundation works to help people equitably participate in today’s digital society. Schools, libraries, nonprofits, and social welfare agencies in under-resourced communities are offered affordable internet services and devices through our telecommunication company partners. We combine telecommunication revenue and investment income to fund digital equity and social justice grantmaking operations, as well as convening and collaboration work. Our goal is to empower historically marginalized people around the world to be more involved in modern civil society, democracy, and culture, and take an active role in overcoming systemic inequity and elevating themselves in every aspect of their lives. 

Contact

Cassie Bair
35 Mile Foundation
Cassie.Bair@35mile.org

About Sister Carmen Community Center

Sister Carmen Community Center (SCCC) is a non-religious agency whose mission is to provide assistance to residents of Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, and Erie who are in need, without discrimination. We take a holistic approach to addressing the needs of people experiencing poverty by equipping them with the tools they need, allowing for the best opportunity for success as they take steps towards stability and self-reliance. Families experiencing poverty come to us for food, financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities, one-on-one Advocacy support—which offers information and connections to critical resources of all kinds—and community and family educational programs such as our Bridging Digital Divides program. 

Contact

Kristen Bohanon
Kristen@sistercarmen.org
303-665-4332