Closing the Digital Divide Initiative

The City has allocated $721,038 in additional CDBG funding it received via the CARES act for a new city-wide initiative coordinated by the United Way which will distribute between 2,000 and 3,000 laptops to Rochester City School District students grade 5 and under to access the new normal of virtual learning.

 

It has long been identified that there is an equity issue regarding access to technology that disproportionally impacts City residents. The COVID-19 crisis has compounded that problem and created an immediate barrier to continued learning and academic success for our most vulnerable children. There is an opportunity to create a public-private partnership to reduce this issue for as many families as possible. The public dollars available will help leverage private dollars. 

 

More information on this initiative is coming soon!