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Stay current on what’s happening in digital equity in Baltimore City—from programs and initiatives to events. This is the latest information from the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE), a division of the Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology (BCIT). 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

In November, Digital Equity Fund (DEF) grantees contributed significantly to the digital empowerment of Baltimore City residents. Twenty-one DEF grantees collectively provided digital services (access to Wi-Fi and tech devices) and digital skills training to more than 1,300 residents. 

Image with bar graphs showing residents served
Impact of DEF grantees in November, showcasing the number of residents served through digital skills training and access to digital services.

Learn more about the Digital Equity Fund and our grantees.

Digital Literacy Training in Full Swing at Senior Centers

Through a partnership with Enoch Pratt Free library and the Baltimore City Health Department’s Division of Aging, digital literacy classes have successfully launched at eight senior centers around Baltimore. Example of digital literacy training topics offered include:

Introduction to the Internet

Computer Basics

Cell Phone Basics

Social Media

Chromebook and Keyboard Basics

Staying Safe Online

Introduction to Google Calendar

Introduction to Google Docs

Schedule and location details are below:

Forest Park Senior Center
Monthly/3rd Thursday
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
4801 Liberty Heights Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21207
(410) 466-2124

Greenmount Senior Center
Weekly/Tuesday
12:30 – 2 p.m.
425 E. Federal Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 528-1552

Hatton Senior Center
Monthly/4th Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
2825 Fait Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 396-9025

Harford Senior Center
Monthly/2nd Thursday
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
4920 Harford Road
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 426-4009

Oliver Senior Center
Monthly/1st & 3rd Monday
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
1700 N. Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21213
(410) 396-3861

Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center
Monthly/1st & 2nd Thursday
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
1600 Baker Street
Baltimore, MD 21217
(410) 396-7998

Senior Network of Baltimore
Monthly/4th Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
5828 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21212
(410) 323-7131

Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging
Monthly/4th Monday
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
4501 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 396-3535

Have You Checked Out Baltimore City’s Digital Inclusion Strategy?

Released December 13, 2023, Baltimore City’s Digital Inclusion Strategy aims to further develop Baltimore’s digital infrastructure and help residents and businesses harness the power of technology for their benefit and the betterment of Baltimore.

Four actionable goals anchor the strategy and help guide the city’s activities and investments in the digital ecosystem. 

Reliable High-Speed Internet: Starting with the most underserved communities, Baltimore City residents will have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet based on investments in future-proof fiber optic networks.

Technology and Devices: Baltimore City residents will be able to get a modern computing device.

Digital Skills Training: Baltimore City residents will have access to digital skills training, helping them use computing devices and safely navigate the internet.

Technical Support: Baltimore City residents will receive technical support — in multiple languages — to master internet access and devices.

Read the full Digital Inclusion Strategy.

INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Affordable Connectivity Program Enters Wind Down

Last month, the Federal Communications Commission announced plans to begin winding down the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) due to the federal government’s uncertainty on continuing ACP funding. The acceptance of new applications and enrollments ended Wednesday, February 7, and the program is expected to last through April 2024.

ACP by the Numbers in Baltimore City

Image showing Baltimore City households enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program
Figures are based on February 2024 enrollment data captured by EducationSuperHighway.

ACP Wind-Down Resources

ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet | Hoja informativa sobre el fin del programa ACP

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers | Preguntas frecuentes sobre el fin del programma ACP

ACP and Lifeline Frequently Asked Questions

ACP Wind-Down Webinar Slides: PowerPoint | PDF (January 18, 2024)

Advocate for ACP Funding

More than 80,000 households in Baltimore City rely on ACP for affordable home internet services. If Congress doesn’t act soon, these household are at risk of losing this very important benefit when funding runs out April 2024. Find out how you can help save ACP.

Digital Navigators Coming to a Tech Hub Near You

BCIT partnered with University of Maryland Extension, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP), and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) to provide Digital Navigator Training to 16 BCRP employees. BCRP employees trained as Digital Navigators will have the skills necessary to assist visitors with connecting to the city’s free public Wi-Fi network FreeBmoreWiFi, using on-site devices, and taking advantage of digital skills training opportunities.

What’s a tech hub?

Tech hubs are community locations (recreation centers and senior centers) with connectivity, devices available for public use, and digital skills training opportunities (accessible in person and online).

Learn more about tech hubs in our December 2023 issue.

BDE Makes a Splash at Net Inclusion 2024

Earlier this month, members of BCIT’s Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE) participated in Net Inclusion—an annual conference sponsored by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. During a special ceremony at the conference, BDE formally accepted the Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer award on behalf of Baltimore City. The award recognizes municipalities and regional governments for innovative approaches toward closing the digital divide.

BDE also delivered a presentation to conference attendees on the impact of Baltimore City’s Digital Equity Fund, and how empowering community-based organizations is vital to narrowing the digital divide. The fund supports the creation of community-led digital inclusion plans and provides funding for communities to bring those plans to life. The fund currently supports 22 Baltimore-based organizations with over 27 digital inclusion projects.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

A Baltimore-based nonprofit, Next One Up (NOU), launched their long-term mentoring program to provide hands-on STEM and digital literacy enrichment courses for 100 young men aged 12-17 in the Baltimore area. Participants engage in a digital literacy curriculum designed to enhance foundational digital literacy skills, as well as instill higher-level coding and digital design knowledge related to 3D printing. Lessons also incorporate discussions on workforce pathways and careers in related fields. 

NOU’s STEM, Robotics and Digital Literacy Curriculum courses are offered in the evenings, Monday through Thursday, at their Base Camp facility in Belvedere Square. 

Additionally, NOU’s Base Camp facility is providing high speed and secure Wi-Fi to the NOU community (190 young men) and their family members (up to 600 Baltimore City residents). Young alumni are accessing the space to use Wi-Fi for telework, completing job and college applications, and much more. 

For more information about the NOU’s mentoring program and how to apply, visit nextoneup.org/our-program Make sure to connect with NOU on Instagram: @nextoneuporg
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Next One Up is a recipient of a grant from Baltimore City’s Digital Equity Fund. The fund supports the creation of community-led digital inclusion plans and provides funding for communities to bring those plans to life. The fund currently supports 22 Baltimore-based organizations with over 27 digital inclusion projects. Learn more about the Digital Equity Fund grantees.

BROADBAND UPDATES

Baltimore City’s free, public Wi-Fi network FreeBmoreWiFi is currently active at Solo Gibbs Recreation Center, Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, Baltimore Rowing & Water Resource Center, Shake & Bake Family Fun Center, DeWees Recreation Center, and in West Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood.

FreeBmoreWiFi at Recreation Centers

By the end of March, FreeBmoreWiFi will go live at the following Baltimore City Recreation and Parks locations. BCIT will announce go-live dates for additional locations in the coming months. 

Bentalou Recreation Center

James McHenry Recreation Center

Carrie Murray Nature Center

Lakeland Recreation Center

Cecil Kirk Recreation Center

Madison Square Recreation Center

Curtis Bay Recreation Center

Morell Park Recreation Center

Edgewood-Lyndhurst Recreation Center

William J. Myers Pavilion

Greenmount Recreation Center

FreeBmoreWiFi in the Community

By the end of April, FreeBmoreWiFi will go-live in the following Baltimore neighborhoods. BCIT will announce go-live dates for additional neighborhoods in the coming months.

Belair-Edison (Main Street)

Cherry Hill

Brooklyn

East Baltimore (Neighborhood TBD)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Digital Inclusion Community Meeting (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 6 – 7 p.m.

Residents can join members of the BDE team for important updates on programs and resources designed to help residents overcome the digital divide. Topics covered include Baltimore City’s Chromebook Distribution Program, the Affordable Connectivity Program, digital skills training opportunities, and much more. Register now.

CONNECT WITH US

Make sure you sign up to receive the bi-monthly update and other digital equity and inclusion news from the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity. Sign up now.

Make sure to follow BCIT on these social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.