The Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) has made a commitment to working with the community and building power through action. This has been reflected in the many different areas of work that SWOP engages in, with one of the most recent examples being Digital Equity organizing. Through the efforts of the Digital Equity Organizers, Imaltzin Astorga and Briana Washington, SWOP has been able to work closely within schools to provide digital learning classes and Affordable Connectivity Program signups, which provides a home-internet discount for community members.

With the return of the fall school semester, SWOP’s organizers have prepared themselves to work with parents to help build their digital knowledge to better support themselves and their children. SWOP has noticed that when parents are equipped with the tools necessary to navigate a digital environment, they are more confident in their ability to apply for jobs, guide their children’s studies, and get through daily life tasks (emails, appointments, and bill management). To kick off the Fall semester, Digital Equity Organizer, Briana Washington will lead English computer classes on Basic Computer Skills, How to Use the Internet, Email, and Microsoft Services that will be held at Hampton, Lee and Marquette Elementary schools. Spanish computer classes will take place at Bogan’s Parent University and Stevenson Elementary where parents will learn Basic Computer Skills, How to Use the Internet, Email, and Google Services provided by Digital Equity Organizer, Imaltzin Astorga.

SWOP’s goal of closing the digital divide is a community effort that is made possible through community members' commitment to learning, the schools who are committed to their community's improvement, and to the organizers and coordinators who dedicate their time to this effort.

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