Tech Foundry Chief Executive Officer Tricia Canavan (left) congratulates the class of residents receiving new laptops.
Reminder Publishing photo by Trent Levakis
HOLYOKE — Representatives from Tech Foundry, Comcast and state Rep. Patricia Duffy (D-Holyoke) gathered in downtown Holyoke on Aug. 22 for a donation of 50 laptops to help residents in Holyoke, Springfield and surrounding towns gain access to the skills, technology and reliable high-speed internet needed to succeed in today’s increasingly digital world.
The donation took place at the Tech Foundry’s Tech Hub at 206 Maple St. in downtown. The hub opened in 2023 as part of a broader regional initiative in partnership with the Western Massachusetts Alliance for Digital Equity to support area residents with free technical support and digital literacy classes.
This donation is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators.
“We want to give everyone the opportunity to get these skills,” said Tech Hub Director William Medina to the group of residents on the receiving end of the donation. “This is about celebrating you and your hard work.”
Tech Foundry is a nonprofit workforce development organization committed to bridging the digital divide. The donated laptops, courtesy of Comcast, will be given to students participating in the organization’s Tech Literacy Classes, in which they will gain crucial digital skills, ranging from basic computer competency to sophisticated software mastery.
Tech Foundry Chief Executive Officer Tricia Canavan referred to a motivational message on the wall inside the classroom that said “opportunities, not obstacles” as a reminder of the work done for the group of residents leading up to this donation.
“When you come here, you’re creating opportunities for yourself. By being here today we know you completed at least six classes to qualify for a laptop and what we look forward to next with all of you is what you do next. Come back, we have 26 classes. Talk with the team. Come to Tech Foundry for more advanced IT training. Go to HCC to get your degree as community college is free for many now,” Canavan said. “So, we look forward to this opportunity again with support from our great friends at Comcast, and how you’re going to take this and run with it.”
Duffy told Reminder Publishing that she is always happy to advocate for the work done by Tech Foundry and reiterated the importance of having access to internet for all facets of modern life.
“It’s another one of those issues that the pandemic really shed a light on. We realized it’s not just about the equipment, it’s about the interconnectivity too,” Duffy said.
Medina told Reminder Publishing the Tech Hub hopes to continue having reach in the community and people try and take advantage of the resource. He added word of mouth among the community is great and often after working with a resident, members of their family will follow in after to take advantage of the learning opportunities.
“In my opinion, building a place where people feel safe and empowered and feel comfortable learning, I think speaks volumes to the fact that people come, but they keep coming. We have some people who go through all 26 workshops,” Medina said. “It’s all walks of life. We have retired people who are here trying to learn Facebook to talk to their grandkids. Entrepreneurs who are trying to learn how to build fliers for their business. And we have people who are looking to better themselves, to get better employment, to learn how to use office software.”
Medina added, “To exist and thrive in this country you need digital skills. You need digital access. You need to be able to function this digital world and without the tools — whether it’s the devices themselves — without the skills you can’t survive, you can’t succeed. But that’s not the end of the journey. For us, it’s about connecting them with our technology programs, letting them know what other opportunities are out there. This is again, the first step in that journey. To chase their American dream, whatever it is.”
