Bridging the Gap
New facility located at HCC's Pickelly Adult & Family Education Center
Like many women in her position, Lasharie Weems often felt overwhelmed. As a single, state-at-home mother with young boys in the home, one of the areas where she felt particularly overmatched was technology.
"My five-year old was probably more digitally literate than I was," she said.
The remote instruction her children required during the pandemic proved even more baffling.
"My older two sons go to a science and technology school," she said. "I struggled to even help them with their homework."
Motivated by her children, Weems enrolled in Tech Foundry's free, 18-week IT Workforce Training program.
"Not only did I learn a tremendous amount about technology, but it brought my family closer together and helped me restore the confidence in myself that I hadn't felt in a long time," Weems said. "It truly helped bridge the gap for me."
Weems, who lives in Chicopee, now works for Tech Foundry. She told her story earlier this week (Wed., Oct. 26) at the grand opening celebration for the Tech Hub, where she will be serving an as American Connection Corp fellow. Tech Foundry's Tech Hub is a collaboration between Tech Foundry, Holyoke Community College, the Western Mass Alliance for Digital Equity, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, Comcast, The Accelerate the Future Foundation, Google, Bulkley Richardson and many other corporate and community partners.
Based at HCC's Picknelly Adult & Family Education Center (PAFEC) at 206 Maple St, Tech Hub offers free digital skills training workshops, walk-in IT support and troubleshooting, Internet connectivity consultations, and computer distribution, as well as community outreach and education.
"Today is an exciting occasion for all of us," Weems said to the crowd assembled outside the Tech Hub's digital classroom on the first floor of PAFEC. "But, for me, it's a personal achievement as I celebrate the journey it took to get me here. Tech Hub is my opportunity to pay it forward, to help countless others identify and bridge the gap in digital equity."
Tech Hub officially opened to the public on Thursday, Oct 26.
Tricia Canavan, CEO of Tech Foundry, a Springfield-based nonprofit, said the Tech Hub project was an idea first discussed during the height of pandemic and has been a top priority of Tech Foundry ever since.
"Tech Hub is a place where residents can gain access to the skills, computer equipment, tech support and reliable high speed internet connectivity needed to thrive in the digital world," she said. "And we are offering these services free to all in our region thanks to our many funders and supporters."
Dr. Frank Robinson, vice president for community relations and public health at BayState Health and chair of the Western Massachusetts Alliance for Digital Equity, noted that Tech Hub is supported by a $5.1 million grant the alliance received from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. That grant provides funding for digital literacy, digital skills training, outreach and education, and connectivity - delivering equipment and wi-fi hotspots to people such as those who are housing unstable, homeless, or living in shelters.
"We talked about a hub of services serving the entire region as one of our dreams," Robinson said. "Well, we've gotten the cornerstone and foundation laid. We're starting here in Holyoke."
HCC President George Timmons said it was fitting for the Tech Hub to be based at PAFEC, one of HCC's satellite campuses in the heart of the city. PAFEC also houses HCC's Adult Learning Center as well as other community programs, including the Holyoke High Opportunity Academy, an alternative public high school program.
PAFEC represents access, he said.
"The mission of Holyoke Community College is to educate, inspire and connect," he said. "Through this initiative, we hope to promote access to technology and connectivity, digital literacy and education while giving individuals the tools they need to be successful. Today we celebrate an awesome opportunity to create a pathway to a better life."
Mayor Joshua Garcia echoed President Timmons' comments and noted that four students who attend the Holyoke High Opportunity Academy at PAFEC have already signed up to be part of the Tech Hub program.
"I think we can all agree that digital literacy in 2023 is as vital as reading literacy was 50 years ago," he said. "Whether it's filling out a job application, communicating with a customer, maintaining accessible records or even booking a flight, digital fluency is a necessary life skill. But the Tech Hub mission recognizes something else: that there exists a digital divide that is the result of inequities in access, opportunity, housing, income and schooling. The free training and support that will take place at this site and at community partner locations - it's going to be a liberating game-changer."
Tech Hub is open noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with classes held from noon to 1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. On Mondays and Fridays, Tech Hub manager Shannon Mumblo and Tech Hub fellows take their IT services into the community all around western Massachusetts.
To learn more and register for classes and helpdesk support, visit techhubmass.net
