Latino Group's Digital Training Empowers Students

 WASHINGTON -  The League of United Latin American Citizens, in conjunction with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), launches a two-year $370,000 broadband adoption program that consists of Digital Connectors programs and a Public Service Announcement campaign for underserved Latino communities.

BTOP's Digital Connectors includes 10 programs designed to empower students with digital training. LULAC, along with its community partners, will launch Digital Connectors throughout this week in 10 different cities across the United States. The curriculum will inspire students from the age of 14 to 19 to take full advantage of all the incredible opportunities that technology offers. Students will focus on six competencies, including Leadership Development, Media Literacy, Financial Literacy, Community Development, Technology & Community, and Community Service. To date, Digital Connectors has engaged over 2,800 youth, who have in turn completed more than 56,000 hours of community service, as well as trained 15,000 families.

In 2003, the first Digital Connectors program was launched in Washington, D.C. by One Economy. In an effort to improve Latinos' access to technology, LULAC will bring Digital Connectors to underrepresented communities with a high need for technology training. The curriculum will provide students with the necessary skills to confidently and competently enter our technology-driven society. In return, students will serve as community ambassadors of broadband opportunities.

LULAC is delighted to bring this remarkable opportunity to the following community partners: Connecticut Puerto Rican Forum in Hartford, CT; Latin American Youth Center in Washington, DC; Latino Leadership in Orlando, FL; LNESC Chicago in Chicago, IL; Latin Americans United for Progress in Holland, MI; LNESC Albuquerque in Albuquerque, NM; Ohio Hispanic Coalition in Columbus, OH; LNESC Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, TX; LNESC San Antonio in San Antonio, TX; and one additional location to be announced soon in Pennsylvania.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is the largest and oldest membership-based Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 880 LULAC councils nationwide.