THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Partners in Bridging the Digital Divide
VALLEY VISION
Building Digital Access and Skills for All
Founded in 1994 , Valley Vision is a nonprofit civic leadership organization that has been operating in the Sacramento region for more than 25 years , creating livable communities through advancing economic prosperity , environmental sustainability and social equity .
“ We ’ ve been addressing the Digital Divide since 2009 through planning , policy and collaboration efforts ,” says Trish Kelly , managing director . “ Since 2012 , we ’ ve been funded by the California Public Utilities Commission to manage the Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium with a purpose of connecting thousands of unserved regional households to the internet . It ’ s a coordinated process as we work with internet providers and local jurisdictions .”
Valley Vision is part of a statewide network of consortia that help get local broadband access projects into the pipeline . The organization started by addressing insufficient infrastructure and has expanded to a holistic , multi-dimensional approach .
“ We bring together coalitions , conduct research and provide policy advocacy to not only support broadband infrastructure development , but also digital equity through technology and device access and digital skills throughout the region ,” says Evan Schmidt , Valley Vision CEO .
Valley Vision helped organize and now manages the Sacramento Coalition for Digital Inclusion , part of a more broad-based approach to closing the Digital Divide . “ Making sure everyone is connected is a high priority in our region ’ s economic strategy ,” notes Kelly . “ One example of our success was helping secure devices and digital literacy training prior to the pandemic that enabled students of Sacramento ’ s Leataata Floyd Elementary School to shift to online learning during the pandemic .”
Valley Vision has been working to close the Digital Divide for years and is intensifying its efforts . “ We ’ re taking a comprehensive approach to address broadband infrastructure , technology and skill set needs through advancing actionable research , bringing together coalitions , aligning systems and advocating for supportive policies ,” Schmidt says . “ This issue is critical to equity within the community . Having digital access and skills is fundamental to social mobility and full participation in community life .”
“ Having digital access and skills is fundamental to social mobility and full participation in community life .”
— Evan Schmidt CEO
3400 3rd Ave . Sacramento , CA 95817 ( 916 ) 325-1630
valleyvision . org
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