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Across our city, how can we bridge what divides us?
Bridging the digital divide in Cleveland
Business leaders have a unique ability to make things happen. Decisions are made each day that guide their employees and shape the direction of the companies they lead. Leaders also have the means to try to effect positive change in the communities they serve. During the pandemic, there were far too many examples of K-12 students in underserved communities across the United States who lacked the proper tools — from laptops, to stable internet connections, to access to mentors — to fully participate in remote online learning. This is a serious problem that requires the attention of leaders everywhere who have the ability to drive change.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the lack of connectivity, tech support and mentorship in low-income communities throughout the US. This digital divide is keeping the next generation from developing the skills and education that will be needed to find employment and succeed in the workplace of tomorrow. Computers and internet connections are critical learning resources that should be available to all students. It’s crucial that these young people, the future drivers of our economy, be given the opportunity they deserve to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.
EY US has raised almost $150,000 just in Northeast Ohio and, working alongside United Way, is committed to using this money to directly address the digital divide in Cleveland’s most underserved communities.
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has joined forces with leaders across the nation in the private and public sectors to bridge this gap. The goal is to facilitate access to connectivity and hardware for underserved students and develop a virtual mentoring approach that addresses students’ immediate needs, ultimately providing future skills readiness support.
EY US has raised almost $150,000 just in Northeast Ohio and, working alongside United Way, is committed to using this money to directly address the digital divide in Cleveland’s most underserved communities. Now is the time to break down barriers and develop approaches that deliver a more equitable pathway to success for students.
Bridging the digital divide is an opportunity for EY US, along with those who lead companies in Northeast Ohio, to make a difference. The digital divide is an issue that will impact every business if left unaddressed. It will reduce the talent pool from which companies hire future employees and leaders. These young people have the potential to offer the talent, ingenuity and creativity that can take companies across all industries to new heights. But if the digital divide persists, some will never get the chance to prove themselves and make that contribution. EY US believes that those who have the means to make a difference owe it to the people in these communities, and to our own futures, to do what we can to help.
Hardware, connectivity and mentorship are the three critical elements to bridge the digital divide. Students need computers, the ability to get online and people who can help them grasp the world of opportunity that exists through that connection. Resources are out there to help in each of these areas. If we all do our part, the digital divide will hopefully become a distant memory.
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