The Mass. Broadband Institute has partnered with the Lead for America American Connection Corps program to establish a first-of-its-kind digital equity capacity building opportunity in Massachusetts. MBI and Lead for America will place individuals at organizations across the Commonwealth, including in tribal lands, working to close the digital divide. Organizations currently engaging in digital equity and inclusion work that want to expand their initiatives and impact can apply to host a digital equity practitioner directly through the Lead for America American Connection Corps (ACC) program. MBI and Lead for America have committed to placing a cohort of practitioners to ensure a broad range of organizations can take advantage of this program. Individuals will be recruited in partnership with selected host sites from the communities that they will serve.
Hear from host site The Tech Foundry's Tech Hub and ACC member Lasharie, who participated in the 2023-'24 cohort about their experience with the program:
Host Sites
Becoming a host site is a unique opportunity to boost local resources and advance your digital equity agenda, all while investing in the next generation of civic leaders. Host organizations must be a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, a local, tribal, or state government entity, or faith-based organization focused on non-religious activity.
ACC Massachusetts Members
The ACC Massachusetts Members will support a range of activities including the implementation of ongoing digital equity programs such as digital navigation, digital literacy, ACP enrollment, and more! Members are engaged community members that can commit to a year long service term starting August 2023 through the end of July 2024. Individuals must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident, hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent, be 17 years of age or older by the start of service, and have not already served four (4) or more AmeriCorps and/or VISTA terms.
Current service members in other states range in age from 19 to 67 and come from all walks of life. Degrees are not required to participate and training is provided by Lead for America and its partners.