Connected Dallas Digital Ambassador Program Announces First Community Anchor Site and Expanded Website
Innercity Community Development Corporation will be the first Community Anchor Site opened as part of the Connected Dallas program.
May 15, 2023 [DALLAS, TX} - Today, the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) is announcing major progress on its Connected Dallas Digital Ambassador program, including a vastly expanded website and the location of its first Community Anchor Site at South Dallas’ Innercity Community Development Corporation (ICDC). The site will formally open in early Summer 2023. The Connected Dallas program’s mission is to provide a full spectrum of digital touchpoints that meet the community where they are, whether by phone, text, chat, online or in-person.
Founded in 1986, South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corporation, known as ICDC, is a 501(c) (3) community-based development corporation serving the needs of the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhoods. Its programs focus on homeownership and economic development under the umbrella of holistic community development.
Community Anchor Sites will provide hyper-local and on the ground support in under-connected communities. Through partnerships with community organizations, these sites are outfitted with technology and training to provide walk-in services to access computers and WiFi, one-on-one support, and digital skills programs run by local Ambassadors. The next round of Community Anchor Site applications will open later this month, and DIA expects to open between 4-6 sites before the end of the year. Connected Dallas partner CARDboard Project is providing a variety of their workshops and case management services with the program.
“Getting all Dallas residents fully engaged in the opportunities that today’s digital world provides is complex and requires each of us to play a part,” commented Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director, Dallas Innovation Alliance. “A big component of our program is establishing community locations that can provide in-person access, support and training. ICDC’s 40 years of service make them a natural partner for this critical role, we are thrilled to begin this work alongside them this summer.”
“Supporting our community’s connection to digitally based services – especially as it relates to homeownership – is a win for ALL,” stated Billy Lane, Executive Director, Innercity Community Development Corporation. “We applaud the DIA leadership and the partnerships that have made this initiative possible.”
Today, Connected Dallas also launched a major expansion of its website ConnectedDallas.org. The website is designed to be an online resource hub that provides comprehensive support for residents, as well as service providers, through centralized resources, training materials and curriculum and navigation to available programs and services. The updated website features 12 different digital resource topics, including navigating internet plan access, devices, skills, security, telehealth, finance, job seeking, transportation and more. A chat feature, central events calendar, ways to request ambassadors or training sessions at your organization and more are now available. This integrated approach ensures community members are aware of, trained, and connected to any service that requires connectivity to improve quality of life and access to opportunity. The Connected Dallas framework is provided by National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
The Connected Dallas program is supported by leading philanthropic investments by AT&T, Santander Consumer USA Foundation and the Dallas Foundation, The DIA was selected by the City of Dallas to manage the Digital Navigators program provided through ARPA funding.
“The addition of Community Anchor Sites to the Connected Dallas program will help connect Dallasite’s to digital resources and services, including job applications and online training opportunities, remote education, and tele-health appointments,” expressed Francisco Gallegos, Digital Inclusion Program Manager, Dallas Innovation Alliance. “We are thrilled to partner with ICDC to bring these resources to the South Dallas community, and work alongside them in their transformative efforts in the community.”
A recording of May 4th’s Connected Dallas virtual information is available here. For questions, please contact Francisco Gallegos, Digital Program Manager, at Francisco@ConnectedDallas.org.
About the Dallas Innovation Alliance
Founded in 2015, the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) is a 501c3 cross-sector partnership dedicated to supporting Dallas’ smart cities strategy. The DIA defines a smart city as one that lives at the intersection of community, data and technology to enable resource efficiencies, inclusive economic development and improve quality of life. Since 2015, the DIA has built a network of over three dozen members across sectors, works with more than 100 community organizations, and over 20 departments at the City of Dallas. DIA’s Smart Cities Living Lab is the fastest-to-market smart cities initiative in the country. For more information, please visit. www.DallasInnovationAlliance.com.
About Connected Dallas
The Connected Dallas program is designed to provide a full spectrum of digital touchpoints for community members that meet them where they are, whether by phone, text, chat, online or in-person. This ensures community members are educated, trained, and connected to all services that require connectivity to improve quality of life.
The Connected Dallas framework is provided by National Digital Inclusion Alliance. For more information, please visit www.ConnectedDallas.org.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director, Jen@DallasInnovationAlliance.com, (214) 909-0400