Скачать или смотреть S.H.I.N.E. Ambassadors 2020- Overtown Optimist Club

On September 20, 2020, S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc., a Florida non-profit, partners with the Overtown Optimist Club (the connection made possible through Sisters in Spirit of South Florida) to bridge the digital divide for Senior high school students in the community of Overtown, outside of downtown Miami. We will gather (socially distanced and with all safety protocols in place) with the group of 20 Seniors, Class of 2021 from Overtown.

While safety in numbers is still of great concern, our local educational systems have made the foray into the 2020-2021 academic school year with virtual education. Technology has been the linchpin that has sustained businesses, both large and small, during this COVID-19 arrest. The digital inequity of communities with concentrated poverty has been long documented. Issues arise for some of our local community students that include lack of access to quality technology to ensure that they do not fall behind their peers in acquiring 21st-century learning skills. Based on a COVID-19 needs assessment administered by the Overtown Optimist Club, together we were able to identify that more than a third of the graduating class of 2021 lacked access to a laptop in their home. It didn’t take long for the call to be answered by S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc. and S.I.S. who have championed the Overtown community for years.

A group text turned into a Zoom call, quickly turned into an adoption of the 2021 Senior class, complete with an off-site photoshoot to celebrate their reaching this successful milestone. Looking for a new innovative group of young people to recognize as their 2020 S.H.I.N.E. Ambassadors, S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc. chose 12 exceptional high school Seniors and presented them with 12 laptops to complement their vision, “no student should be left behind.” S.H.I.N.E. and S.I.S. have agreed to mentor the entire group as well. Not only does S.H.I.N.E. gather a community to raise the energy and positive vibration through incredible speakers and opportunities to network with movers and shakers (which has been placed on hold until it is safe to do so in this new normal) but they have been able to honor the educational scholarships set up to benefit young innovative leaders who have made a difference in our community through acts of inspired service. And, partnering with Overtown Optimist Club and S.I.S. allowed all of us to execute on a timely idea.

“Technology can be a great equalizer for the students living within our community, these organizations have partnered to ensure digital equity and access, which is lacking for many of our community youth. Here is an exemplar for partners for progress.”