Innercity Community Development Corporation Officially Opens Connected Dallas’ First Community Anchor Site

ICDC’s site will operate as a walk-in center offering computer lab, one-on-one support connecting to the Affordable Connectivity Program, online-based services, and hosting digital skills workshops

August 17, 2023 [DALLAS, TX} - Today, the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA)’s Connected Dallas Digital Ambassador program has officially opened its first Community Anchor Site at Innercity Community Development Corporation, in the Mill City neighborhood in South Dallas. The site’s community opening celebration today represents the first of eight sites that will open by late spring 2024, offering the brick-and-mortar walk in center piece of the program. The site will open for regular operations on August 21st, Monday - Thursday 12:00-5:00pm. The Connected Dallas program’s mission is to provide a full spectrum of digital navigation touchpoints that meet the community where they are, whether by text, chat, phone, online or in-person at local community organizations. The Connected Dallas framework is provided by National Digital Inclusion Alliance.

“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, today represents a huge moment in realizing this vision,” commented Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director, Dallas Innovation Alliance. “Building this comprehensive program has only been possible through the generous investments in digital equity from our partners at AT&T, Santander Consumer USA Foundation, Dallas Foundation and we are honored by the trust that the City of Dallas has placed in DIA to execute the City’s Digital Navigator’s Program. We are so grateful for the opportunity to do this work.”

“Today’s opening of the Connected Dallas Community Anchor Site at ICDC’s Homeownership Center will bring a huge boost to our community, for whom internet access and skills to fully utilize it are a persistent challenge,” stated Billy Lane, Executive Director, Innercity Community Development Corporation. “Supporting our community’s connection to digitally based services – especially as it relates to homeownership – is a win for ALL,” “We cannot wait to begin operations on August 21st and provide these resources to South Dallas.”

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.

“The City of Dallas is committed to bridging the digital divide through cross-sectoral engagement and collaboration to address the various needs of the public and private sector to get connected. Which includes Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment assistance, tech support, and community engagement and more,” commented Genesis Gavino, Chief of Staff to the City Manager, City of Dallas. “Community Anchor Sites represent a key resource to support communities within their neighborhood, we are thrilled to celebrate another step towards internet for all Dallas residents.” 

Community Anchor Sites will provide hyper-local and on the ground support in under-connected communities. These sites are outfitted with technology and training to provide walk-in services to access computers and WiFi, one-on-one support for everything from Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment to telehealth appointments, as well as digital skills programs run by local Ambassadors. The second anchor site at Bachman Lake Together will open in September 2023. Connected Dallas partner CARDboard Project is providing a variety of their workshops and 10-Step Roadmap case management services with the program.

”At AT&T, we recognize that it takes a village to bridge the digital divide. For that reason, we are honored to support the Dallas Innovation Alliance in bringing Connected Dallas sites to life, in communities across Dallas,” said Mylayna Albright, the assistant vice president for Corporate Social Responsibility at AT&T. “ALL communities deserve nothing less than to have access to digital devices and high-speed internet, at an affordable price, and last but not least, the ability to adopt digital skills needed to  see value in their connection. As a partner of Connected Dallas, it brings us great joy to help narrow the digital divide. We look forward to continually doing our part to create a better future for our community.”

Connected Dallas is also accepting requests from local community organizations to host train-the-trainer sessions for their teams to utilize Connected Dallas resources to serve their clients; as well as request a Digital Ambassador to hold workshops and one-on-one office hours at their facility. Both of these requests can be made via this form on www.ConnectedDallas.org.  Residents and organizations are encouraged to visit the central events calendar to find digital access events at organizations across Dallas. 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.

“Supporting digital inclusion and what that means for the economic prosperity of our Dallas community, is a priority for us,” said Christopher Pfirrman, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, Santander Consumer and Santander Consumer Foundation Board Chair. “We are thrilled to support this initiative and be part of the opening this first Community Anchor Site for Dallas residents.”

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 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.

Media Contact:

Kelsey Neely, DRIVEN360, kelsey@godriven360.com, (678) 925-0911

Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director, Jen@DallasInnovationAlliance.com, (214) 909-0400