KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A huge gap in the digital divide was revealed by the coronavirus pandemic when schools were forced to close buildings and attempt to teach online, but now a partnership in Kalamazoo is hoping to address that problem.
The City of Kalamazoo, the local schools and other agencies are teaming up to provide Internet access to 1,000 low-income families.
Steve Brown with the Foundation for Excellence gave a presentation during the virtual Kalamazoo City Commission meeting Monday evening, but his part of the agenda actually happened around 1 a.m. Tuesday after a lengthy discussion into police reform in the city.
Brown says the Kalamazoo Public School district has identified about 500 households that have no Internet access which puts students at a huge disadvantage during this remote learning time.
As a temporary fix, he says they will be distributing WiFi hotspots to students in need. Those families without Internet would get first access.
“It’s not the ultimate be-all end-all solution to the digital divide per se, but it is certainly a really big step forward,” Brown said.
The devices will be loaned out through the Kalamazoo Public Library and the program will run from June 30th through August 31st of 2021.
“To be able to put Internet in people’s homes is we think a game-changer and it’s something that our community came together to do in partnership and that we’re really excited about,” Brown said.
The partnership, known as Digital Access for All or DAFA, includes Kalamazoo Public Schools, the Kalamazoo Public Library, The Kalamazoo Promise, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, and the City of Kalamazoo with funding provided by the Foundation for Excellence.
KPS and the Kalamazoo Promise are supplying $50,000 each in startup money and technical support for the program, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation will be taking donations, KPL will lend the WiFi routers to eligible families, and $100,000 will come from the city’s Foundation for Excellence.
The recommendation states, “The goal of this partnership is to create a more level playing field for Internet access and to enhance access for online education services so all students can learn.”
Students can check out a device by using their “OneCard,” which allows them to borrow books, movies, and other items through the library.
City commissioners approved the proposal during their meeting. Further information will be provided to families by KPS in the coming weeks.
