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Camber Foundation announces grant to Kramden Institute for Digitital Skills to increase digital literacy in Eastern North Carolina
Camber Foundation is thrilled to announce it is investing $46,000 in Kramden Institute for Digital Skills, serving North Carolina’s Wilson and Wayne Counties via Kramden’s Train-The-Trainer Program. Funds also support planning for expansion of the program into other Eastern North Carolina communities.
“We are delighted that Camber Foundation is dedicated to advancing digital inclusion programs in Eastern North Carolina,” said Cari DelMariani, Director of Programs at Kramden Institute. “Their generous funding will enable Kramden to maintain existing partnerships and extend our reach to new communities that urgently need access to high-quality computer training and laptop devices.”
This grant represents Camber Foundation’s commitment to digital inclusion and increasing community members’ access to the digital world, including adoption of digital services, devices to utilize digital tools, and digital literacy and education. Reliable internet and working devices are essential tools, but the need goes beyond that. In Camber’s view, digital inclusion contributes to all three of its focus areas – health & wellness, education, and economic development. Adequate digital tools and skills are essential for equal access to economic, workforce, social, and civic opportunities, as well as public safety information and healthcare.
Kramden Institute for Digital Skills
Kramden Institute for Digital Skills addresses both the material needs associated with digital inclusion and the hard skills needed for success, resulting in a leveled digital playing field for all. Through donations, Kramden Institute provides computers and other devices to underserved communities in Eastern North Carolina and comprehensive courses on digital and technical skills.
Kramden Institute’s Train the Trainer program enables community members to become champions for digital equity, which brings Kramden’s digital literacy curriculum to more North Carolina communities. Community Technology Instructors (CTIs) come to the Kramden location in Durham and are immersed in its curriculum, gleaning best practices in computer skill instruction. The four-part curriculum includes courses on computer basics, internet basics, documents and typing, and online life. At the end of the training, CTIs are prepared to become instructors in their communities and receive a stipend to do so. CTIs have freedom on the delivery, location, and schedule of classes to serve their audiences in the most accommodating way.
“At Camber, we believe that no one knows the needs of a community better than its members,” said Leslie Ann Jackson, president & CEO, Camber Foundation. “That is why we admire Kramden’s community-centric approach to digital literacy, which empowers individuals to become experts for their own communities. We are excited to see the program grow.”
For more information on Camber Foundation, its impactful grants, and grant application process, click here.
