It’s easy to spot people on phones, kids with Chromebooks and laptops in coffee shops. Digital devices seem ubiquitous, but are they accessible for everyone? The internet connectivity at my home is excellent, and my smartphone works virtually everywhere. I’m fortunate. Many families within our communities have multiple barriers to entering the digital world. They cannot afford electronics. Some rural areas simply have no service. Some have service, but no one in the household with adequate technology skills. Sometimes language is a barrier. In consideration of these many issues, South Sound Parent to Parent (SSP2P) is launching its new program Equity in Technology or EIT.
Bridging Technology Gaps in Mason and Thurston Counties
South Sound Parent to Parent is creating multiple pathways to overcome technology gaps in Mason and Thurston countie. “I never understood the barriers,” explains Family Resources Coordinator Tonya Lunghofer, who works with families in rural areas. “Just the day-to-day stuff is hard.” Some families receive a tablet. If they do not know how to use it, support can be supplied in English or Spanish. Others have needed a signal booster to get internet into the home. There is financial support for internet services. The new program is already empowering families.
“Cristina [an Early Support Specialist] taught me how to use the tablet she gave me,” says one mom from a Spanish speaking family. “We were able to keep visits that I would have had to cancel because someone in the family was sick.” Her child aged out of the early intervention program and transitioned to school-based services. “I don’t drive, but because I had the tablet and could use Zoom,” she adds, “I was able to meet with the school district and ask questions about preschool for my son.”
Angie Godinez is the coordinator of Helping Parents for SSP2P’s Spanish speaking families. Before she worked for SSP2P, she engaged their services. Angie personally understands how much it means to be able to connect with your community. She recalls her children loved visiting with Tonya and home visitor Alissa Eromae. They were disappointed when visits had to be cancelled. Having an internet option allows meetings to still take place. Angie said that she would have loved being able to keep appointments and attend Mom to Mom groups that she had to cancel when someone in the house was sick. Providing families with technology advantages is a priority for her.
Samantha Becerra, who is currently training to be a family resources coordinator and who has a child in program, shared that: “having the tablet that Angie gave me made it possible for me to participate in the virtual Mama con Mama meetings. This was incredibly helpful because it was at a time when I was struggling and feeling very alone.”
Give Local from November 7-18 and Boost Your Donations
Every year the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound hosts Give Local, a two-week online giving campaign to support nonprofits that serve Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties. With a $100,000 contribution from the Dawkins Charitable Trust there is a proportional match that increases every donation. At the conclusion, all campaign giving is totaled. Each participating organization gets a proportion of the $100,000. For example, if a nonprofit raises 5% of the total during Give Local, that organization receives 5% of $100,000 or $5,000. There is a maximum of $7,500 per agency. “When you donate to Give Local, your dollar is worth more,” says Viktoria Skillingstad, fundraising coordinator.
You can go to the Give Local website to make a tax-deductible donation. It is possible to donate through your advised fund or retirement account. If you send a check, please make sure the name of your chosen organization is written on the memo line.
You can support South Sound Parent to Parent any time, however your donation during Give Local has extra power. This year’s Give Local will go directly to the Equity in Technology programs. “Please, help give local families the start they need,” requests Viktoria.
The 28 families currently being served are just the tip of the iceberg. “We are getting more families every day,” says Tonya.
Family with Special Needs Programs
In addition to technology support, South Sound Parent to Parent offers diverse programming for families with children who have chronic illnesses, developmental delays, or disabilities. Established over 30 years ago by parents and the professionals who work with them, SSP2P strives to understand the people it serves and continues to ask who is under-represented or underserved. The challenges people face on a daily basis are identified. Professional services are tailored to the needs of each situation. The agency has support groups for moms, dads, and siblings, and has the ability to diagnosis autism and offers many early learning intervention support programs.
You can find more information about all the programs on the South Sound Parent to Parent website. Getting more information and donating online are two more examples of ways we rely on internet connections and digital devices. Bridging technology gaps makes a difference.
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