Tag Archives: Community Impact

Empowering Successful Futures at Faster Speeds

Two years ago, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City chose Google Fiber’s 2 Gig service and we’ve never looked back. In recognition of National Entrepreneurship Month, we’re highlighting how Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City uses reliable, high-speed internet to help achieve our goal of empowering the next generation of professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs.



Our work at Junior Achievement is centered on three essential pillars: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. We offer a bridge between classrooms and the real world, preparing students for success in an evolving career landscape. Through programs catering to K-12 students, our adaptable curriculum provides valuable resources and lessons  that aren’t part of most schools’ required curriculum. 

Technology plays a huge role in our organization’s success. The decision to switch to Google Fiber's 2-Gig internet two years ago was partially driven by our desire to upgrade our internet, but more importantly, we wanted to elevate the experience of our students at the Youth Learning Lab, presented by the Mallouk Family Foundation.



One of the ways we’re elevating the experience is through our signature program: JA BizTown, presented by Community America Credit Union. This is an immersive experience where students step into the shoes of professionals. In the simulation, they learn how to run their own businesses, manage finances, and hone their ability to make decisions. JA BizTown challenges the next generation of employees to solve the nuanced, real-world issues that businesses face every day in a way that they connect with at their grade level. 

Our simulation relies on a cloud-based platform, and our GFiber's 2-Gig service allows us to ensure the technology enabling JA BizTown runs smoothly, offering a disruption-free environment for our students. With up to 100 devices running simultaneously, reliability is key to the program’s success. 

Each year, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City serves 20,000 students across the KC metro, nearly half of which experience capstone experiences onsite at the JA Youth Learning Lab. In addition, Junior Achievement welcomes 5,000 adult volunteers and community members onsite. We partner with more than 18 community organizations to execute our programs. In order to fulfill our mission and expand our impact, we need consistent, reliable connectivity so our programming and simulations don’t miss a beat. On a given day, we know that a dozen things could surprise us, but we have been able to count on the reliability of GFiber’s internet access.



Today, there’s so much pressure on young people to choose their career—and the options only continue to grow. Our programming, like JA BizTown or the 3DE model of education implemented at the high school level, opens their eyes to new opportunities they may not have previously considered. Our partnerships with Kansas City businesses inspire students by offering opportunities that align with their passions in unexpected ways. For instance, participants learn that they don’t have to be a center fielder to work for the Kansas City Royals. They can work in marketing, ticket sales, community outreach—the list goes on. Exposure to business mentors from the Kansas City business landscape further widens students’ perspectives, opening a world of possibilities for their choice-filled futures.

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As we navigate the future of education, especially considering the challenges posed by the pandemic, community support is essential. Working with GFiber as a small business exemplifies the exact kind of collaboration needed to uplift our youth during a pivotal time in their lives. It takes all of us to collectively empower our future leaders and prepare them for success, and we’re so grateful for our supportive community.

If you’re interested in getting involved with Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, there are many ways to support. Volunteer your time, share your expertise, and become a mentor to a future leader. Our range of volunteer opportunities give everyone a chance to impact the lives of these students. Together, we are shaping futures, one student at a time.

Posted by Torey Berndt, Director of Marketing and Communications, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City 

San Antonio’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) empowering young women with the support of Google Fiber

Google Fiber is committed to supporting women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). As part of that commitment, we have supported the San Antonio Young Women's Leadership Academy Robotics program for the past several years with a grant that enables more young women at the academy to participate in the program. With the success of the program and the team winning their first competition this year, Ignacia Negrete Kilgore, YWLA CTE Departmental Chair shares the impact the program is making and how grateful she is for the sponsorships and partnerships that resulted in the success of the program so far.




Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) is a nonprofit STEM-focused organization in San Antonio, Texas. The entirety of what we do is dedicated to supporting young women by providing them with the necessary academic skills in STEM to achieve success in college — and it’s an organization I’m proud to be a part of. Right now, we serve over 500 female students, the majority of whom are Latina, live in low income households, and soon will become first generation college students.

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But before we get into the heart of the work we do at YWLA, I want to tell you a bit about how I fit into all of this. 

I started my engineering journey at Texas Tech University. I didn't know much about engineering at all — but I knew I wanted to learn. At first, it was very challenging, especially being one of the few women in the mechanical engineering program, and a Latina who was still learning English. I knew during my time there that I wanted to help change this feeling of “outsiderness” for future female engineers.

Soon after I graduated from Texas Tech, I was approached by a representative of YWLA with the opportunity to teach engineering to young women in their program. Just as I’d hoped, my doorway to make a difference in my field opened up. That was 8 years ago — and I’m still here, doing the work that I love by serving the future of women in STEM. 

Shortly after I started teaching, I began envisioning where I wanted my engineering program to go. That’s when the transformation of San Antonio’s only all-girl  FRC  Robotics program came into play.  

I got to work with my team and quickly added courses that would give our students certifications like AutoCAD, Inventor, and college credits for Computer Science, which led to the Robotics team qualifying for competitions. It was a big moment for our program and our students. But we had another massive hurdle to overcome -a stark lack of funding. 

Simply put, though we began to qualify for state competitions, we couldn’t afford to attend them. This felt incredibly unfair to our hardworking students, so once again… we got to work.

I put together a sponsorship package and was grateful to connect with a local member of the GFiber team, who understood the importance of the program and knew it was the type of digital Inclusion and equity initiative that GFiber works to support. 



That connection changed everything for us. Thanks to GFiber, we've been able to grow the program, provide better equipment, and not only qualify for competitions, but attend them (with multiple students)!  

Last year, the program was able to pay for additional hotel rooms, food, and rent an additional vehicle to carry a total of 14 students (almost the entire team) to the competition. This was a game changer for our  kids. Now, they could do the work and see their work in a competitive environment. This excitement from our students has radiated outwards. Our program is growing like never before and our graduates are ascending to new heights — attending prestigious engineering schools. 

We've had students go to MIT, Brown University,  Rice University, Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin, among others. In addition to getting into these competitive programs, the girls who participate in the robotics program are persisting through their rigorous engineering and stem degree programs to earn their degrees. The demands of the competitive robotic environment helps them build foundational skills for navigating these male-dominated spaces at the college level and beyond. This is the kind of impact that the YWLA Robotics program is making with the support of GFiber.



The achievements of our Robotics program would not be possible without a supportive team of people contributing to our success. We are truly blessed to have mentors and volunteers with great skills and experience. I am also thankful for my Head of School, Delia Montelongo, and my mentor and friend, Ashley Cash; these two inspiring women have taught me the skills needed to advocate for female STEM education and have always trusted and given me the freedom to go out there and find sponsors and partners like GFiber. It is amazing to see the growth and success that has come about due to all the support. I look forward to the continuous success of the Robotics program to educate and impact many more young girls, making great strides towards digital equity and inclusion.

Posted By Ignacia Kilgore, CTE Departmental Chair - San Antonio YWLA



Mesa pursues digital equity and literacy

The City of Mesa’s strong commitment to digital equity played a key role in Google Fiber coming to town. The city is working towards connecting their residents to quality internet and the digital skills they need to navigate the world we live in, and their efforts are garnering national attention. Mesa was recently named a BroadLAND City USA by INCOMPAS. The award recognizes cities dedicated to speeding up deployment of new broadband networks in their local community. The city aims to create opportunities and promote competition- which bridges the digital divide for families and businesses in the community. 

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This commitment is exactly why GFiber recently invested in furthering these goals with a $25,000 donation to the Mesa College Promise program. The money will go to students working to obtain an associate’s degree in the STEM field of their choice from Mesa Community College (MCC). Graduates from eligible schools can go to MCC for two years with Arizona resident tuition and fees fully funded.The program supports students who have not received enough financial aid or other scholarships to completely cover the cost of college. 



Nearly 600 Mesa high school students have benefited from the Mesa College Promise program since its inception in 2021. College Promise students also receive a stipend each semester for up to two years to use for books, transportation or other educational expenses and have a dedicated MCC advisor to provide academic and personal support. Those wanting to learn more about the Mesa College Promise can visit mesacc.edu/mesa-promise. 

GFiber is intentional in making investments that positively impact the communities we serve- supporting STEM, digital equity and digital literacy programs and initiatives. Find out more information about the local alliances and partnerships we have and projects we support here

Posted by Will Novak, Government and Community Affairs Manager 


Mesa pursues digital equity and literacy

The City of Mesa’s strong commitment to digital equity played a key role in Google Fiber coming to town. The city is working towards connecting their residents to quality internet and the digital skills they need to navigate the world we live in, and their efforts are garnering national attention. Mesa was recently named a BroadLAND City USA by INCOMPAS. The award recognizes cities dedicated to speeding up deployment of new broadband networks in their local community. The city aims to create opportunities and promote competition- which bridges the digital divide for families and businesses in the community. 

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This commitment is exactly why GFiber recently invested in furthering these goals with a $25,000 donation to the Mesa College Promise program. The money will go to students working to obtain an associate’s degree in the STEM field of their choice from Mesa Community College (MCC). Graduates from eligible schools can go to MCC for two years with Arizona resident tuition and fees fully funded.The program supports students who have not received enough financial aid or other scholarships to completely cover the cost of college. 



Nearly 600 Mesa high school students have benefited from the Mesa College Promise program since its inception in 2021. College Promise students also receive a stipend each semester for up to two years to use for books, transportation or other educational expenses and have a dedicated MCC advisor to provide academic and personal support. Those wanting to learn more about the Mesa College Promise can visit mesacc.edu/mesa-promise. 

GFiber is intentional in making investments that positively impact the communities we serve- supporting STEM, digital equity and digital literacy programs and initiatives. Find out more information about the local alliances and partnerships we have and projects we support here

Posted by Will Novak, Government and Community Affairs Manager 


Celebrating Digital Inclusion Week at GFiber

Google Fiber believes everyone deserves fast, reliable internet at an accessible price all year round. But this week is Digital Inclusion week- the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on some of the high-impact digital equity work that we are excited to be a part of! Join us as we celebrate the projects and partnerships that are getting more people connected to the amazing opportunities the internet provides. 

Affordable high-speed internet: Access to high-quality internet is essential for every household, yet affordability is a challenge for many on the wrong side of the digital divide. That’s why we’ve been such strong supporters of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, and why we are now offering 300 Meg for $30 a month to customers who are participating in this program. With the $30 subsidy through the FCC, this plan is available at no cost to our ACP customers. The need for the Affordable Connectivity Program has never been clearer.  Over 20 million American households are using these funds to stay connected to work, school, family and more. That’s why Google Fiber has been encouraging Congress to renew funding for ACP. Reach out to your representatives to ask them to ensure this essential program continues to connect our country.

Digital literacy: We invest in digital literacy programs that empower people with the skills needed to navigate the online world. This year GFiber supported Des Moines, Iowa’s Shalom Community Impact Center’s digital literacy programming, helping immigrant families get connected to the critical resources needed to navigate their new home. In Nashville, Tennessee, we proudly supported the Nashville Cyber Seniors workshops, classes, and educational resources. And in Atlanta, Georgia, our partner Inspiredu provided over 3,500 hours of digital literacy training to community members.


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Transformative partnerships: Many of our longtime partnerships are pioneers of sustainable and scalable community-based solutions. In 2015, we became a founding sponsor of NTEN’s  Digital Inclusion Fellowship, a nationwide effort to build the capacity of local organizations to close the digital divide in their communities. In 2023, we are proud to sponsor 15 fellows in this year’s cohort of digital equity champions. PCs for People in Kansas City was one of our earliest community partners.  This year, we launched a new partnership with this digital equity powerhouse to get low-cost internet to 4 affordable housing communities.  And in North Carolina, our longtime partner E2D is bridging the device gap, distributing over 1,000 no-cost laptops to families in need when they need them most- before the start of the new school year.    


Local alliances:  We support foundations and coalitions who are tackling their community’s big challenges.  We proudly support the Community of Huntsville Foundation’s Digital Equity Fund, which has invested in 33 digital equity programs across the city. In Austin, Texas, we supported Foundation Communities’ vision of  creating “housing where families succeed” by providing residents with a no-cost laptop. In Arizona, Google Fiber joined the Mesa College Promise Program supporting the education of Mesa’s high school students for the first two years of college. 



Innovative technologies: Innovation has always been at the heart of Google Fiber’s bold vision that everyone should have access to affordable internet. In the last three years, we’ve made tremendous strides, upgrading our products, services and network. This year, we launched GFiber Labs, dedicated to pushing the bounds of innovation and increasing our ability to serve more people in more places.  

From digital navigators to policy makers, we are so proud to be part of a movement to bring better internet to more people. But Digital Inclusion week isn’t just about celebrating. It is also a chance to reflect on where we can continue to challenge ourselves and others to advance digital equity and inclusion in a meaningful way.  (One more plug to encourage your representative to support ACP!) 2023 has been a year we are proud of, but there is so much work to be done and we are just getting started.  

Posted By Jess George, Head of Digital Equity & Community Impact




300 Meg internet service is now available for Affordable Connectivity Program participants at no cost.

Google Fiber was founded on the ideal of giving more people access to fast, reliable internet at an accessible price. That’s why we’ve been such strong supporters of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, and why we are now offering 300 Meg for $30 a month to customers who are participating in this program. 

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With the $30 subsidy through the FCC, this plan is available at no cost to our ACP customers. It provides symmetrical uploads and downloads of up to 300 Mbps and include a Google WiFi device, along with no data caps, no annual contract, and GFiber’s dedicated customer service.  

How do I get it? With Digital Inclusion Week coming up, the necessity of the Affordable Connectivity Program has never been clearer. Over 20 million American households are using these funds to stay connected to work, school, family and much more. That’s why Google Fiber has been encouraging Congress to renew funding for ACP. Reach out to your representatives to ask them to ensure this essential program continues to connect our country.

Posted by Jess George, Head of Digital Equity & Community Impact, and Ariane Schaffer, Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager





Leveraging new learning methods with the help of Google Fiber in West Des Moines


In 2022, Google Fiber provided a $30,000 grant to the West Des Moines Community Schools Foundation to advance their initiative to expand STEM programming in all West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) elementary schools. This support was directed to Western Hills Elementary School, where principal Jenna Presley has launched a new STEAM lab this fall. STEAM programming taps into children's natural curiosity and creativity, and Western Hills staff and teachers have been evaluating and planning the best ways to engage the entire student body to explore the world through this new resource.

 

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For our dedicated team at Western Hills Elementary School, getting back to school is our favorite time of the year. Each of our students, from pre-K through sixth grade, comes from a different background and learns in different ways, so we’re constantly looking for opportunities to better reach students, enhance their learning experience and set them up for success both inside and outside the classroom. 



This year, we are proud to offer a brand new, interactive STEAM lab to our students with resources that span across ages and grades. STEAM incorporates all the great attributes of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – while incorporating arts into the mix, including visual, language and physical arts. Many students have greater aptitude and affinity for either arts and humanities or mathematics and science, and STEAM brings these together while tapping into students’ natural curiosity and creativity.



Several WDMCS elementary schools offer some STEM/STEAM programming to their students, so when we were presented with this opportunity by Google Fiber, we knew our students would greatly benefit from these types of learning resources.


Our staff has been incredibly intentional with the grant from Google Fiber. We not only needed a physical space in the school, but also a way to create access to the resources and activities so teachers could check them out from the lab and bring them into their classrooms. Much more than a play space, we wanted to create an interactive and exploratory space that fosters hands-on learning, hones underlying strengths and student learning targets, and finds ways to connect these resources within existing lesson plans. 


We have worked for months to make this program and lab as accessible as possible. After going through a professional development and training seminar this summer, each of our teachers worked with staff to evaluate lesson plans for opportunities to incorporate our new STEAM resources. A few of the tools students get to experience and learn with this year include:

  • BeeBots programmable robots introduce the concept of coding and emphasize measurement and multiplication skills

  • Spirobots introduce the practical application of robotics to students 

  • Merge Cubes interactive digital canvas enhance learning potential and opportunities 


These tools are just a few of the many our staff will utilize to explore and leverage new learning methods and opportunities with our students. At Western Hills Elementary, we are big proponents of voice and choice, and we strive to offer a variety of resources for both our staff and students that foster engagement, learning and excitement while here at school. 


Thanks to a generous donation from Google Fiber, our team is proud to bring these new exciting STEAM resources and lab to our staff and students. This is just the beginning. We know this lab will grow and shift as the tools and resources become more ingrained in our lesson plans and offerings, and we are excited to create new ways to bring out the genius in all of our students. 


Posted by: Jenna Pressley, Principal, Western Hills Elementary School 

E2D building connections that bridge the Digital Divide



On Saturday, Google Fiber joined Charlotte’s E2D to send 1,000 kids back to school well equipped to vault the digital divide. 


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It was the biggest distribution of free refurbished laptops in the history of E2D (aka Eliminate the Digital Divide) and the latest chapter in our long-running relationship.


“My first meeting with Google Fiber was on June 9, 2015,” says ever-ebullient E2D co-founder Pat Millen. “Getting that first grant from Google Fiber made us feel like we were being ‘seen’ for our potential. It meant everything at the time and our relationship with Google Fiber remains very special to us.”


E2D formed in 2012 to help bridge Charlotte’s digital divide, which the org defines as “the opportunity gap between those who have ready-access to computers and the internet, and those who do not.” E2D collects used laptops from generous corporations, refurbishes them in student-led technology labs, and distributes them to student families who don't have a computer at home.


On Saturday, August 26th Google Fiber team members were among the many eager volunteers handing out the 1,000 laptops at the ImaginOn Library. Jess George, Google Fiber's Head of Digital Equity & Community Impact noted that the event meant E2D has distributed more than 38,000 laptops since its founding.



“Being part of this journey has been so special to all of us at Google Fiber,” George said. “We have prioritized inclusion and connection, and, honestly, hearing Pat talk about our relationship brings tears to my eyes.” 


Posted by Pat Millen. Founder/President, E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide





Latinitas conecta a la próxima generación de mujeres líderes a Internet de alta velocidad en el centro de Texas con el apoyo de Google Fiber

GFiber trabaja con organizaciones de todo el país para conectar a más personas con los beneficios de Internet de calidad. En Austin, Latinitas ayuda a las mujeres jóvenes a desarrollar las habilidades necesarias para vivir en un mundo digital. La directora de comunicaciones, Salwa Yordi, comparte su historia.


Nuestra misión en Latinitas es empoderar a todas las niñas para que innoven a través de los medios de comunicación y la tecnología. Brindamos programación en persona y virtual para que las estudiantes se expresen, desarrollen habilidades tecnológicas, aprendan sobre su cultura y descubran su voz única. Cada verano la Latinitas organiza “Club Latinitas” para niños de ocho a 18 años para facilitar clases sobre creatividad digital y codificación. Sin duda, se necesita Internet confiable de alta velocidad para apoyar adecuadamente a estas niñas y sus proyectos innovadores.


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Como Conexión Comunitaria de Google Fiber, Latinitas ha confiado en nuestro servicio de Google Fiber para brindar actividades enriquecedoras y recursos educativos que se han integrado perfectamente en las actividades de nuestro campamento, incluyendo talleres de transmisión en vivo con oradores invitados de alrededor de todo el país.


Según la Liga Nacional de Ciudades, solo el 65% de las personas Hispanas que viven en los Estados Unidos tienen acceso a una forma de conexión de banda ancha en comparación con las personas Blancas (80%) y Negras (71%). En Texas, más del 15% de los hogares carecen de banda ancha en cinco condados del centro de Texas (Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, Caldwell y Mason), según estimaciones de la Oficina del Censo de EE. UU. de 2017 a 2021. Además de la falta de acceso, también hay una falta de habilidades digitales dentro de la comunidad Latina. Para abordar esta necesidad, Google Fiber ha sido un socio constante en la financiación de las clases digitales para padres de Latinitas durante los últimos años.


Por primera vez, cada campista en Latinitas tiene la capacidad de interactuar con profesionales de la industria en sesiones virtuales en tiempo real, participar en talleres dinámicos y colaborar en proyectos multimedia sin interrupciones debido a la conectividad. Además, la confiabilidad de Internet también ha facilitado la investigación en línea, permitiendo a las niñas a profundizarse en áreas de interés y ultimamente desarrollar su confianza.



Latinitas se compromete a fomentar una generación de líderes expertos en tecnología. Este es un compromiso a largo plazo. Conectar a nuestra comunidad garantiza que la misión y la visión de nuestra organización permanezcan accesibles para todos, y estamos agradecidas por socios como Google Fiber que están ayudando a nuestras futuras generaciones a prosperar.


Publicado por Salwa Yordi, Directora de Comunicaciones de Latinitas

Latinitas connects the next generation of women leaders to high speed internet in Central Texas with support from Google Fiber

GFiber works with organizations across the country to connect more people to the benefits of quality internet. In Austin, Latinitas helps young women develop the necessary skills for living in a digital world. Communications Director Salwa Yordi shares their story.


Our mission at Latinitas is to empower all girls to innovate through media and technology. We provide in-person and virtual programming for students to express themselves, develop tech skills, learn about their culture, and discover their unique voice. Every summer the organization hosts “Club Latinitas” for kids ages eight to 18 to facilitate classes on digital creativity and coding. Without question, reliable high-speed internet is necessary in order to adequately support these children and their innovative projects.


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As a Google Fiber Community Connection, Latinitas has relied on our Google Fiber service to provide enriching activities and educational resources that have been seamlessly integrated into our camp activities, including live streaming workshops with guest speakers from around the country. 


According to the National League of Cities, only 65% of Hispanic individuals living in the United States have access to a form of broadband connection compared to white (80%) and Black (71%) individuals. In Texas, more than 15% of households lacked broadband in five Central Texas counties (Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, Caldwell and Mason), according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates from 2017 to 2021. In addition to the lack of access, there’s also a lack of digital skills within the Latino community. To address this need Google Fiber has been an ongoing partner in funding Latinitas Digital Parents classes for the past few years. 


For the first time, every camper at Latinitas has the ability to interact with industry professionals in real-time virtual sessions, participate in dynamic workshops and collaborate on multimedia projects without disruption due to connectivity. Additionally, the internet's reliability has also facilitated smooth online research, empowering kids to delve deeper into areas of interest and ultimately building up their confidence. 



Latinitas is committed to fostering a generation of tech-savvy leaders. This is a long-term commitment. Connecting our community ensures the mission and vision of our organization remains accessible to all, and we are thankful for partners like Google Fiber who are helping our future generations thrive.


Posted by Salwa Yordi, Communications Director at Latinitas