Connected Dallas and CitySquare Celebrate Digital Access Program Launch 

CitySquare is the fourth Connected Dallas walk-in center offering computer lab, one-on-one support connecting to affordable internet, online-based services, and digital skills workshops

April 2, 2024 [DALLAS, TX} - The Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA)’s Connected Dallas Digital Ambassador program has officially opened its fourth Community Anchor Site at CitySquare in their AT&T Connected Learning Center to serve CitySquare neighbors and visitors to their Opportunity Center. The site’s community opening will welcome community members, elected officials and local organizations to celebrate the support, resources and amenities adding to the vast wraparound services available at CitySquare. Connected Dallas’s Digital Ambassadors will staff the site, providing 1:1 assistance on digital services including tech support, identification of free or affordable internet plans, enrollment in assistance programs, as well as offering digital skills workshops on a variety of topics identified as most impactful to the community. CitySquare is the second Connected Learning Center opened in Dallas in late 2021 as part of the $2 billion dollar commitment AT&T made that year to help address the digital divide—the gap that exists between those who can fully participate in our digital world and those who cannot.

CitySquare represents the fourth site, offering the brick-and-mortar walk-in center element of the Connected Dallas program.  The site is currently open for regular operations and skills workshops from Tuesday and Friday from  9:00am-4:00pm, with additional days this summer.  The Connected Dallas program’s mission is to provide integrated services across access, affordability, devices and digital literacy that meets the community where they are. Connected Dallas was chosen by the City of Dallas in March 2023 to execute its DIgital Navigator program. The Connected Dallas framework is provided by National Digital Inclusion Alliance.

“Complex challenges require partnerships and intentionality in serving communities across Dallas and beyond. With Community Anchor Sites operating in South Dallas, Bachman Lake, Vickery Meadow, and now, CitySquare, we are continuing to learn how best to serve through the guidance of our partners and community members,” commented Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director, Dallas Innovation Alliance. “Fully participating in today’s world requires access and knowledge on internet use and services and we’re grateful to play a small part in reaching all of our goal of internet for all.”

“The launch of this program and internet access and support at CitySquare are critical components of meeting the needs of our neighbors and community. At CitySquare, we are committed to creating a welcoming environment that can support the needs of our neighbors across all aspects of life, from food access to health, housing, employment and beyond,” says Annam Manthiram, CEO, CitySquare. “We are thrilled that this partnership is a part of the Opportunity Center and look forward to our neighbors experiencing the power of connectivity.”

“The City of Dallas is committed to bridging the digital divide through a comprehensive approach addressing the four pillars of digital inclusion: accessibility, affordability, devices, and digital literacy. Which includes access to support programs and  affordable internet enrollment, tech support and skills to access opportunity,” commented Genesis Gavino, Chief of Staff to the City Manager, City of Dallas. “The new site at CitySquare is a key resource to support vulnerable communities within and beyond their Opportunity Center.  We are thrilled to celebrate another step in the journey to reach and connect all residents of Dallas.” 

 “Connectivity is at the heart of what we do,” said Lisa Sherrod, Assistant Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs at AT&T. “Our Connected Learning Centers have allowed participants to utilize digital tools in several ways, including registering for jobs, completing schoolwork, researching and apply to colleges, and jumpstarting their own businesses. We’ve also heard numerous testimonies from parents who have utilized CLCs to register their children for school, help them with homework, and monitor their academic progress. We’re eager to continue our relationship with Connected Dallas, CitySquare, and Dallas Innovation Alliance as we all work to bridge the digital divide in the heart of our city.”

The next cycle of Community Anchor Site locations will be announced later this spring.  Organizations are encouraged to sign up at www.connecteddallas.org/contact to receive updates on the next round of applications. Connected Dallas also offers train-the-trainer sessions to local community organizations to guide their teams in utilizing Connected Dallas resources to serve their clients; as well as the option to request a Digital Ambassador to hold workshops and office hours at their facility. Both of these requests can be made via www.ConnectedDallas.org.  Residents are encouraged to visit the central events calendar to find events at organizations across Dallas.

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 - essentially, how do we find new ways to solve complex challenges facing our city. Since 2015, the DIA has built a network of over three dozen members across sectors, has worked with more than 100 community organizations, and over 20 departments at the City of Dallas.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 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 Connected Dallas framework is provided by National Digital Inclusion Alliance. For more information, please visit www.ConnectedDallas.org.

About CitySquare:

CitySquare exists to fight the causes & effects of poverty through service, advocacy & friendship.

Since our humble beginnings in 1988 to present day, CitySquare has grown into a broad nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive array of social services that address key areas related to the persistence of poverty: housing, food and health. Together, our social service programs touch over 62,000 people a year.

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T  

AT&T is committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning® to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008 we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states, Washington D.C and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.