Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has joined forces with leaders across the nation in the private and public sectors to bridge this gap. The goal is to facilitate access to connectivity and hardware for underserved students and develop a virtual mentoring approach that addresses students’ immediate needs, ultimately providing future skills readiness support.
EY US has raised almost $150,000 just in Northeast Ohio and, working alongside United Way, is committed to using this money to directly address the digital divide in Cleveland’s most underserved communities. Now is the time to break down barriers and develop approaches that deliver a more equitable pathway to success for students.
Bridging the digital divide is an opportunity for EY US, along with those who lead companies in Northeast Ohio, to make a difference. The digital divide is an issue that will impact every business if left unaddressed. It will reduce the talent pool from which companies hire future employees and leaders. These young people have the potential to offer the talent, ingenuity and creativity that can take companies across all industries to new heights. But if the digital divide persists, some will never get the chance to prove themselves and make that contribution. EY US believes that those who have the means to make a difference owe it to the people in these communities, and to our own futures, to do what we can to help.
Hardware, connectivity and mentorship are the three critical elements to bridge the digital divide. Students need computers, the ability to get online and people who can help them grasp the world of opportunity that exists through that connection. Resources are out there to help in each of these areas. If we all do our part, the digital divide will hopefully become a distant memory.