When Sara walked into her neighborhood resource center last winter, she did not know how to send an email or apply for emergency rental assistance online. Two months later she was leading a small group teaching parents how to use telehealth. Her story echoes across thousands of community centers where a single computer, patient coaching, and consistent internet transform anxiety into agency.
Why this matters now
The digital divide is not just about devices; it is about opportunity. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2021 roughly 7 percent of U.S. adults said they never use the internet, a gap that is concentrated among older adults, lower-income households, and rural communities (Pew Research Center). Globally, policymakers and NGOs report persistent gaps in access and skills that hold back education, healthcare, and livelihoods (ITU background). The U.S. federal BEAD program also represents one of the largest investments in broadband infrastructure in recent history, offering a rare chance to pair connectivity with community-centered services (NTIA).
What works: resource centers, education, and platform engagement
Across the country and the world, organizations are proving that tangible, local interventions accelerate impact:
- Resource Centers: Local community centers and libraries that offer reliable computers, trained staff, and tailored classes become anchors for families transitioning online.
- Technology Education: Programs that teach practical skills—from email and form-filling to introductory coding—open doors to jobs and school success.
- Platform Engagement: When platforms design simpler user journeys and partner with community organizations, vulnerable users can access benefits, healthcare, and education without fear.
Nonprofits are already in the lead. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) organizes local coalitions and policy advocacy to expand digital equity. EveryoneOn connects low-income households to affordable internet and devices. For education, organizations like Code.org and Girls Who Code create pathways into technology for young people who have been historically excluded. Meanwhile, service organizations such as TechSoup help nonprofits access the tools they need to scale services.
'When people get connected in a safe, supported way, their whole relationship to public services changes,' says a director at a community tech hub. 'Connection without support is fragile; support without connection is impossible.'
How you can help
Small actions compound. Consider volunteering an hour a week at a local resource center, donating a gently used laptop through verified programs, or advocating for digital equity funding in your city. If you run a platform, partner with local nonprofits to simplify onboarding for first-time users. If you represent a company, explore skills-training partnerships or matched grants with organizations like NDIA, EveryoneOn, or Code.org.
This work is urgent but not hopeless. Investments in broadband infrastructure, paired with human-centered resource centers and sustained education, can turn stories like Sara's into the new normal. Join a local effort today and be part of building a future where digital access strengthens community, not separates it.
