FLORENCE, S.C. — More than 50 Senior citizens in Florence Co. attended a Wi-Fi and digital education class on Wednesday. The class is part of a partnership between Spectrum and the Senior Citizens Association (SCA).  

The SCA works to provide services to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of senior citizens.

The 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. class provided tips and tricks for staying safe and efficient online, maximizing the Wi-Fi experience at home, and additional resources available for digital learning.

Seniors also had the opportunity to attend a virtual class via Xumo.

“The importance of expanding access to essential broadband technologies, education and training is profound in our increasingly digital world,” said Rahman Khan, Group Vice President, Community Impact for Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity services. “Through the Spectrum Digital Education grant program, Charter is partnering with valued nonprofits that share our commitment to create better opportunities for the communities we serve.”

Following the class, Spectrum presented the SCA with a $25,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant to support their digital literacy skills program for seniors. This marks the third Spectrum Digital Education Grant awarded to the SCA. Spectrum has awarded the organization $50,000 in the past three years alone.

“We are so thankful to Spectrum for selecting this agency to receive this grant and to bring our seniors to a higher level as it relates to technology,” said Linda Mitchell Johnson, Executive Director, SCA. “We do not want our seniors to fear technology but gain a sense of comfort and knowledge. It is with this gratitude that we are appreciative of this partnership with Spectrum.” 

In 2023, Spectrum awarded $1.1 million total to 46 nonprofit organizations through Spectrum Digital Education, which supports broadband technology programs, education, and training in unserved and underserved communities throughout the company’s service area.

“Technology is a driving force in everything we do,” said State Representative Terry Alexander. “I applaud Spectrum for their dedication to addressing the growing need for digital literacy skills with seniors throughout our community.”

Spectrum’s Commitment: $9 Million and Counting

Since the program’s launch in 2017, Spectrum has committed more than $9 million total to the initiative and has awarded 261 grants to 143 unique partners.

As of September 2023, Spectrum Digital Education has helped to fund more than 30,000 digital education classes, distribute over 13,000 devices including laptops and support the creation of 157 tech labs.