LatinX Digital Leaders Now and Effingham Regional Career Foundation Form Partnership

(FROM LEFT, LATINX DIGITAL LEADERS NOW FOUNDER CAROLINE SANCHEZ CROZIER AND EFFINGHAM REGIONAL CAREER FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR NORMA LANSNG)

The Effingham Regional Career Foundation (ERCP) and Latinx Digital Leaders Now (LatinX DLN) recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on identifying, developing, and implementing various digital equality initiatives.

LatinX DLN serves the Latino communities in Illinois to advance digital equity policies and inclusive initiatives for all Latinos to create sustainable health and wealth in Latino communities through innovation, strong family values, and positive social impact. This MOU will allow ERCF to offer training in digital technologies to Latinos and other underserved residents of Effingham, Clay, Cumberland, Fayette, Jasper, and Shelby Counties.

“This partnership brings many new and exciting opportunities for students who participate in the Effingham Regional Career Academy,” stated Norma Lansing, ERCF Board Chair. “LatinX DLN has collaborated successfully with several school districts in the Chicago area, and the ERCF Board is looking forward to bringing similar programs to our region,” Lansing continued.

“I’m thrilled about this partnership to expand the work for digital/broadband equity in central Illinois communities, especially with the upcoming federal and state funding to close the digital/broadband gaps that exist across Illinois,” says Caroline Sanchez Crozier, LatinX DLN Founder & CEO and member of the Illinois Broadband Council, further stating, “our approach is holistic to not only see infrastructure built for reliable and affordable Internet access but also address the skill gaps and workforce needs in the current digital landscape that will foster economic development.”

Through this partnership, LatinX DLN and ERCF will focus on their strengths to achieve specific goals. LatinX DLN will allocate bilingual digital navigators to help with outreach, enrollment, and related holistic support services. They will provide tech workforce and entrepreneurial training from industry-credentialed professionals. As a certified Cisco Net Academy and North Star Digital Literacy Provider, LatinX DLN will also provide community bilingual cybersecurity training and digital literacy workshops that include mentorship, individualized support, and participant resources.

ERCF will offer space at their expanded facility planned for a Fall 2024 opening that LatinX DLN will use as a satellite site to serve the surrounding communities, emphasizing Latinos. The Foundation will help with outreach and recruitment of participants and host community events related to digital equity initiatives, including community celebrations.

The entities will work together to identify grant opportunities, work on digital access and literacy programs, and recruit other businesses and organizations in the six counties aligned with our vision for digital equity that can aid in creating these programs.

“The Illinois Chamber of Commerce applauds the collaboration of The Effingham Regional Career Foundation and LatinX Digital Leaders Now on this initiative,” said Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval. “It provides much-needed digital connectivity and upskilling for the affected communities which will help meet the workforce development needs of local businesses. Congratulations, we look forward to seeing the progress from this partnership.”

LatinX DLN provides opportunities for tech career pathways and industry-certified credentialing programs to upskill the workforce and entrepreneurs; raise awareness and facilitate enrollment to affordable and reliable internet for residents; promote diversity, equitable access, and inclusion in computer science education and STEM career opportunities in K-12 schools; and provide holistic bilingual support services to Latino community members.

LatinX Digital Leaders Now is a 501(c)3 organization that is focused on advancing digital equity policies and initiatives that are inclusive for Latinos to thrive in how we live, learn, work, and play. As such, we aim to positively impact the diverse representation of educators in computer science, broaden participation in computing in K-12, improve access to tech career pathways for Latinos and other underrepresented residents, and facilitate enrollment of eligible families to affordable internet and other federal subsidies. Learn more about LatinX DLN at https://latinxdln.org/

As a 501(c)3 organization, ERCF oversees the operation of the Effingham Regional Career Academy. Serving 14 school districts across six counties, ERCA offers a focused curriculum and advanced, hands-on training in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, technology, and transportation. Learn more about ERCA at https://www.eiefes.k12.il.us/regional-programs/erca