{"id":34966,"date":"2023-07-14T01:32:34","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T01:32:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/3.139.175.126\/?page_id=34966"},"modified":"2025-06-17T00:54:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T00:54:52","slug":"miami-connected","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miamifoundation.org\/miami-connected\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami Connected"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749659427766{background-color: #E9F5FB !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/5&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;42245&#8243; img_size=&#8221;560&#215;315&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;fadeInDown&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/5&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h1>Miami Connected<\/h1>\n<p>Miami Connected launched in 2021 as a bold response to a glaring issue exacerbated by the pandemic: the digital divide. With education and everyday life shifting online, thousands of families in Miami-Dade County were left disconnected from opportunities. Initial data estimated 100,000 students in Miami-Dade were without high quality internet, exposing the need to act fast so no child was left behind in this new normal of online learning.<\/p>\n<p>By mobilizing businesses, government, and philanthropy, and securing seed funding from Ken Griffin, The Children\u2019s Trust, TD Bank, and The Miami HEAT, and in partnership with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor Frances X. Suarez, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Connected was launched as a bold cross-sector partnership to tackle digital inequity.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1689293273733{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;34971&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1689313646818{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>The Miami Connected Approach<\/h2>\n<p>In just three years, from 2021-2024, Miami Connected transformed digital equity efforts by focusing on a multi-faceted approach with an emphasis on collaboration.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;3&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">A Three-Pronged Approach to Digital Equity<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span>The Miami Connected coalition understood that achieving digital equity required not only increasing connectivity but also creating the conditions to encourage greater\u00a0<\/span><strong>adoption<\/strong><span>\u00a0and unlocking the\u00a0<\/span><strong>economic potential of technology<\/strong><span>. Here are the three areas of focus:<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749659129702{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #439B0A !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;white&#8221;]<strong>Accessibility:<\/strong> This pillar centered on enhancing <strong>connectivity<\/strong>. Under this pillar, Miami Connected:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Promoted the availability of affordable options for both broadband and digital devices<\/li>\n<li>Built necessary infrastructure, encouraging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to offer better broadband technologies (ex., fiber) at better speeds<\/li>\n<li>Narrowed the affordability gap<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Key partners<\/strong>: Comcast and Jewish Community Services South Florida[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749659244410{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #541A7A !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;white&#8221;]<strong>Adoption &amp; Use:<\/strong> This pillar maximized <strong>digital navigation and digital literacy<\/strong>. Under this pillar, Miami Connected:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Invested in awareness campaigns for the program<\/li>\n<li>Implemented digital navigation resources such as assistance with device acquisition and application support<\/li>\n<li>Provided digital literacy programs to help people better use technology resources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Key partners<\/strong>: 13 community-based organizations and NorthStar Digital Literacy[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749659270447{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #025D9B !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;white&#8221;]<strong>Economic Opportunity:<\/strong> This pillar focused on doubling down on <strong>Careers in Technology<\/strong>. Under this pillar, Miami Connected:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Partnered with organizations through the Tech Talent Coalition, aligning local tech development with the needs of employers<\/li>\n<li>Connected the local population to both blue and white-collar workforce opportunities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Key partners:<\/strong> Miami Tech Works and Labor Miami[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749660089101{background-color: #F5F5F5 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;32080&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>Collaboration &amp; Sustainability<\/h2>\n<p>The true power of Miami Connected lies in its role as a catalyst for collective action. By uniting public, private, philanthropic, and community partners, the initiative created a movement greater than the sum of its parts.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Miami Connected played a pivotal role in shaping<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamidade.gov\/global\/initiatives\/broadbandplan\/home.page\">Miami-Dade County\u2019s first Broadband &amp; Digital Equity Plan<\/a>, amplifying community voices at the highest levels of policy-making.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/miamifoundation.org\/digitalequitygrant\/\">Digital Equity Grant Program<\/a> forged strong connections with community organizations, ensuring their voices shaped the County\u2019s<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>Local Technology Planning Team (LTPT)<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>and future digital inclusion strategies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Community of Practice,<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>initiated by Miami Connected, became a self-sustaining force for digital literacy and navigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749660094167{background-color: #F5F5F5 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h3>The Impact<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Over $131 million in federal funding was secured for Miami-Dade County, benefiting 210,000 families.<\/li>\n<li>Nearly 5,507 families received digital literacy instruction, empowering them with essential skills.<\/li>\n<li>A total investment of $6.8 million into 13 community-based organizations to build capacity and deliver services.<\/li>\n<li>In collaboration with the Florida Commerce Office of Broadband and the Miami Foundation, the Miami-Dade County Information Technology Department organizes a Local Technology Planning Team (LTPT), consisting of more than 200 community organizations, who work to identify opportunities that bridge the digital divide in a decentralized approach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>Reflections\u00a0from project lead Tiffany Wilson-Worsley, Director of Collective Impact (lightly edited for clarity):<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWhat stands out most is the lasting collective impact Miami Connected has had on the community. Beyond the numbers, we\u2019ve empowered organizations, strengthened leadership, and built a foundation for ongoing digital equity work. Seeing community-based organizations transform their capacity and continue driving change after Miami Connected sunsets is a testament to the initiative\u2019s enduring legacy.\u201d<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;43423&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749659967336{background-color: #025D9B !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;lml-white&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;41163&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749659941975{border-radius: 2px !important;border-color: #FFFFFF !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h3>The Lessons Learned &#8212; And Opportunities Recognized:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>We witnessed the power of public-private partnership;<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>when we break silos and collectively solve problems, we see bigger impact.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We identified long-term solutions for sustained digital equity<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>by equipping community organizations to serve as the digital navigators of their respective neighborhoods.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We see an opportunity to further close the digital divide<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>and are partnering with Miami-Dade County and others in pursuit of significant funding for a multi-year initiative to improve low-cost broadband connectivity and support low-income housing corridors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1749659427766{background-color: #E9F5FB !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/5&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;42245&#8243; img_size=&#8221;560&#215;315&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;fadeInDown&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/5&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Miami Connected Miami Connected launched in 2021 as a bold response to a glaring issue exacerbated by the pandemic: the digital divide. With education and everyday life shifting online, thousands of families in Miami-Dade County were left disconnected from opportunities. Initial data estimated 100,000 students in Miami-Dade &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/miamifoundation.org\/miami-connected\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":115,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-layout-full-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"coauthors":[384],"class_list":["post-34966","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","no-post-thumbnail"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Miami Connected | The Miami Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get Connected With Internet at No Cost. 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