On Tuesday March 28, Spectrum announced Kramden Institute has received a $40,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant for their Computer Basics for Seniors curriculum. The grant is part of the broadband connectivity provider’s six-year, $8 million commitment to promote digital education and broadband technology in communities across the country.

Funding will support Kramden’s collaboration with a variety of community partners in the Fayetteville and Sanford areas, providing four sessions of Computer Basics classes and educating up to 150 senior citizens. Additionally, each participant will be awarded a refurbished laptop computer with one year of complimentary tech support.

“In our online world, digital skills are critical to navigating everything from finding a job, to going to school, to buying groceries – yet too many families still have not adopted internet at home,” said Vice President of Community Impact for Charter Communications, Inc. Rahman Khan in a press release. “As one of the largest internet providers in the U.S., Spectrum is committed to supporting local initiatives like Kramden that promote digital literacy and inclusion and help educate community members in Fayetteville about the value of adopting broadband in their lives so they can succeed in today’s connected society.”

The $40,000 grant is the fifth Spectrum Digital Education grant for Kramden Institute, bringing total Spectrum support for the organization to $155,000 since 2017. 

“As an educator, I’m excited to hear that the digital education grant will open opportunities to advance our communities in the areas of education, economic prosperity, health, and safety and security,” said state Rep. Frances Jackson in a press release.

“By pairing education and a device, Kramden and its computer training instructors can extend the reach and benefits of our “get tech, learn tech” model to communities across North Carolina, like Fayetteville,” said Cyndy Yu-Robinson, Executive Director, Kramden Institute, in a press release. “We appreciate Spectrum’s support in this endeavor to bridge the digital divide.”