From left: Margaret Käufer, President of The STEM Alliance; Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact, Charter Communications; Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard; Doris Hackett of Mount Vernon Public Library; Jayselle Trancoso of Child Care Council of Westchester
Funds Benefit the Organization’s Digital Pathways Program Providing Low-Income Individuals with Access to Devices, Services and Technology Education
Spectrum has awarded a $20,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant to The STEM Alliance for its Digital Pathways program, which serves people according to their digital needs and helps low-income individuals with devices, services and basic technology education classes.
The STEM Alliance’s Digital Pathways program partners with community nonprofits to reach digitally-distressed and historically underserved residents throughout Westchester. Through the Spectrum Digital Education grant, The STEM Alliance hosted two cohorts in Mount Vernon with participants at the Mount Vernon Public Library and Child Care Council of Westchester.
Spectrum presented the check to The STEM Alliance on March 21 during the organization’s graduation ceremony at the Mount Vernon Public Library. Among those to celebrate were Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard; representative Luke Powell from U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer’s office; Margaret Käufer, President of The STEM Alliance; and Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact at Charter Communications.
“Connectivity is the foundation for meaningful learning, professional growth and human connection, and helps to build strong, thriving communities,” said Mike Williams, Regional Vice President of the NYC Region for Spectrum. “Spectrum Digital Education supports programs that empower community members to enhance their lives with connectivity, from providing digital literacy training to seniors to connecting students with important resources and tools for their education.”
This latest grant is the second Spectrum Digital Education Grant awarded to The STEM Alliance, bringing Spectrum’s total support for the organization to $40,000 over the past two years.
“This graduation event is to honor the dedication of our clients, who took bold steps to expand their digital skills and open new doors of opportunity,” said Ms. Käufer. “Thanks to Spectrum’s multi-year commitment, Mount Vernon residents are gaining the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
The STEM Alliance bridges systemic gaps in education to provide equal access to critical science, technology, engineering and math learning resources with the goal of empowering communities, inspiring innovation and creating opportunity for all. Their work is centered in three areas: afterschool STEM enrichment, STEM summer enrichment and digital equity.
Spectrum’s Commitment: $10 Million and Counting
Since launching in 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has committed more than $10 million to nonprofits focused on improving digital literacy, workforce development and educational access in unserved and underserved communities across Charter’s 41-state service area. Through direct support of nonprofit partners across Spectrum’s footprint, Spectrum Digital Education has helped distribute over 18,500 laptops and sponsor more than 42,000 digital education classes, benefiting over 173,000 community members. The STEM Alliance is one of 66 nonprofit organizations across the country that has been awarded a 2024 Spectrum Digital Education grant.
Locally, The STEM Alliance is one of five New York City area recipients of the 2024 Spectrum Digital Education grant. El Puente, First Corinthian Baptist Church Community Development Corporation, Greenwich House and Public Housing Community Fund also received grants.
More information about Spectrum Digital Education and Charter’s philanthropic initiatives to support communities is available here.
