By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
USF St. Petersburg is partnering with Digital Inclusion, a cross-sector network operated as one of the initiatives of Community Foundation Tampa Bay, to ensure people who need computers have them.
The campus is donating around 500 used computers to be refurbished and recycled for community organizations, post-secondary students and adults in Pinellas County. The receipt of these devices, coupled with ensuring access to the internet and technical skills training, will improve digital literacy.
The network’s goal is to increase digital literacy to 80 percent within the county.
“In order for people to thrive in our digital age, we need to equip them with the tools to do so,” said Christian Hardigree, regional chancellor of USF St. Petersburg. “We hope this is the start of a sustained partnership in providing digital tools that will ensure all people in our county develop the skills to succeed today.”
Digital literacy is defined by access to the internet, a computer device and the skills to navigate that device for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning and essential services.
A number of Pinellas County school computer labs, a non-profit housing organization and the Childs Park Recreation Center have recently been retrofitted with refurbished computers through this initiative.
“Without a computer device in today’s environment, the digital divide gets further magnified,” said Veatrice Farrell, director of the Digital Inclusion Network. “In our post-COVID world, without a computer device, you aren’t able to access telehealth, you can’t participate in online learning. Donations such as these are critical in reducing the digital divide so all have access to online opportunities.”
The campus will donate the computers over a two-year period, with the first batch provided in November. USF St. Petersburg consistently recycles old digital technology. In the past it has also donated it, providing computer equipment to nonprofit organizations for use in schools in Africa.
Working in Pinellas County for now, Digital Inclusion soon hopes to expand this initiative into Hillsborough County and partner with the USF Tampa campus to increase its impact.