Digital Navigation OKR:
Develop a regular schedule and host in-person “DN hour” events to ensure we are reaching the most vulnerable (all covered populations).
Reaching full digital inclusion means meeting people where they are. This is not just a hollow catch-phrase for the CDE; it is a guiding principle behind much of its programming.
This is why the leadership of the CDE set an OKR specifically for creating a regular schedule of events so that Digital Navigators can go out into the community and make connections, especially with the most vulnerable populations.
The goal was to host at least one event per month—and with the participation and collaboration of several partners, we were able to exceed that goal! In total, we participated in 160 events, averaging about 13 events per month.
Here are just a few of the events we were able to organize or support throughout the year:
CDE-organized events
We successfully organized and/or supported at least one event per month. During the first half of the year, these events focused on housing- and access-related topics as identified by community needs. In the latter half of the year, we transitioned to pilot programs with a repetitive schedule at specific locations. These pilots aimed to address specific community needs identified through our work throughout the year.
We were able to pilot three distinct locations for in-person Digital Navigator assistance, including:
- A table at the entrance of the INLIVIAN main office so residents coming in for housing assistance could meet with us
- The CRTV Lab at Do Greater, a high-tech creative hub for the community
- The main leasing office of Southside Homes community.
We also worked with the City on their “Access Charlotte” initiative, a program designed to connect residents with essential resources for connectivity. For these events, we also partnered with INLIVIAN (previously known as the Charlotte Housing Authority) which aims to provide decent, safe housing that is affordable. INLIVIAN played host to several events where applicable residents were also able to discover more about the Access Charlotte program.
Related: No One “Goes It Alone” in the Queen City: Getting Connected in More Ways than One
Supporting events organized by partner organizations
The CDE has had the privilege of working with a number of other organizations already embedded within the ecosystem. Our role, in these cases, was more of a support function meant to augment other activities. For example:
- We worked closely with Eliminate the Digital Divide (E2D) , which collects used laptops from generous donors, refurbishes them in student-led technology labs, and distributes them to people and families who need them. The CDE had the aim of doing at least one laptop distribution per quarter; we met this goal, co-leading with E2D three distributions (and allowing one quarter for planning and scheduling).
- Digital Navigators attended an Autism Speaks event to offer device support to recent laptop recipients and explain additional digital services that we can assist with.
- At a Town Hall meeting highlighting city services, Digital Navigators were present to represent the CDE and help residents understand and sign up for the various digital services available to them in the city.
Full-blown collaborations
Often, events are most effective when the full range of opportunities around devices, connection, and skilling can be on display. This happened with events in collaboration with Barings, LISC, and E2D. These were community events that included laptop distribution, with each unit in a given property getting a device, as well as a chance for residents to connect with CDE Digital Navigators to receive support with all of their digital needs.
Another great example of collaboration is our work with Atrium Health. Atrium Health is a hospital system with locations throughout the Charlotte area, although it is also a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education, and compassionate patient care. Atrium has a program called their “Help Now” program, which allows employees to request help and connect with services they might need. Digital Navigators have been a part of this program for three years now, and have continued to help connect employees with digital resources as needed. For example, employees who need a laptop device can now request one and receive a refurbished device through E2D. E2D itself receives some financial support from Atrium, as well as a number of laptops to be refurbished. Along with their laptop, employees are also guided to other resources as well. For example, if they need help learning to use their laptop, the Digital Navigator can put them in touch with appropriate classes—and, in some cases, can even provide some 1-on-1 support on location.
Digital Navigators were also present at a Habitat for Humanity event. The CDE supports the Carter Project at the Meadows at Plato Price development by supplying the new households with no-cost laptops for adults in the household.The laptops are provided by E2D with generous support from Barings. Digital Navigators met with small groups of adults on-site once a month at the Habitat office to build a relationship with the residents, hand them and show them how to use their new laptop, learn their digital needs, and explain available services.
Finally, there was the CMPD Project. The CDE worked with the Cybercrimes Unit of CMPD to establish a process for their officers and investigators to refer residents to the CDE Digital Navigators for further assistance with their digital needs.
This program provides residents with digital help and incorporates the possibility of an urgent device request for those residents who are exiting a domestic violence situation and are in immediate need of a device.
