DIGITAL ACCESS: A MAJORITY OF NEW YORK CITY'S LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS, INCLUDING MANY CHILDREN, LACK BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND THE BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS NECESSARY TO NAVIGATE OUR INCREASINGLY DIGITISED WORLD. THIS DIGITAL DIVIDE REINFORCES THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INEQUITIES THAT PERPETUATE THE WIDENING GAP BETWEEN THE HAVES AND HAVE-
NOTS. HARLOWTOWN PIONEERED AN INITIATIVE TO INTRODUCE FREE WI-FI IN THESE NEIGHBOURHOODS BY FUNDING AND BUILDING HOTSPOTS IN PUBLIC PARKS. IT IS ALSO INCREASING DIGITAL LITERACY IN THOSE AREAS BY COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO DISTRIBUTE REFURBISHED COMPUTERS AND TEACH RUDIMENTARY COMPUTER CLASSES.
“I wholeheartedly support Harlowtown, a leader in providing free public wireless networks in low income areas, such as the 2009 installation of the CDSC Wi-Fi Hotspot at the Classon playground in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill. This organization is contributing the gift of knowledge to many that will last a lifetime.”
LETITIA JAMES, NYC COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 35, BROOKLYN
“The River Watch Computer Center had a state-of-the-art computer lab in the Bronx, but no funding for community classes. Harlowtown facilitated a partnership with another non-profit to provide volunteers to teach free computer classes. Now seniors are computer savvy, children are able to do their homework, and the community has a place of learning.”
CATHERINE STROUD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RIVER WATCH
NY1, 07/31/2009
“Harlowtown’s Wi-Fi Hotspot at the Taqwa Community Farm will be the first of its kind in the Bronx, bringing together community service organizations and private capital to provide free broadband access in a public space that is in a low-income neighborhood. This initiative will provide a much-needed service to the residents of Highbridge.”
FERNANDO CABRERA, NYC COUNCIL MEMBER – DISTRICT 14, BRONX
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