ConnectedMN grantees gather to celebrate success and share lessons learned.

Nonprofits supported by ConnectedMN gathered virtually on Feb. 24th to celebrate success and share lessons learned. 

During 2020, families in underinvested communities turned to trusted nonprofits to navigate digital access challenges amplified by the pandemic. ConnectedMN grantees launched digital inclusion projects that supported students, parents and teachers, including safe learning hubs + pods, digital training, devices, and internet connectivity. 

The following are themes that we heard from nonprofit leaders’ as they’ve supported families during distance learning:   

Digital Navigators 

Digital navigators  played a central role in the use of learning tools and platforms, hardware selection + use and connectivity.  Multilingual digital navigators were highlighted as a community need. 

Distance learning is here to stay

Grantees are reporting that distance learning on a spectrum (from independent learners to learning pods) will be a part of some families' futures, but ongoing support is necessary to make the model sustainable. Community partners (nonprofits, schools, METNs) are working, along with parents to address the amplified pre-existing education gaps in vulnerable communities including connectivity affordability and access. 

Partnerships

Cross-sector coalitions + partnership were crucial to mobilize the people, resources, processes, and technology solutions needed for families across multiple districts in homes and shelters. Grantees formed coalitions between community-development organizations, schools, after-school coalitions, METNs, community-based nonprofits, and creative financing partners in order to meet need. At ConnectedMN, we are grateful for our nonprofit and funding partners, and know this digital access journey has merely just begun in terms of scale, complexity and ongoing community need. 

Digital learning has made it clear that families’ access to the internet is not only about their right to education, it’s a necessity for economic stability and health. Nonprofits trusted most by families need the resources and investment to scale up their technology capacity to meet community need for digital navigation and access. Join us in celebrating the success of our grantees by continuing to support their digital navigation work!