‘We couldn’t say no’: Business owner excited to help students get access to internet and new tablets
'We couldn't say no': Business owner excited to help students get access to internet and new tablets WPBF West Palm Beach
sdgtalks
A couple of Palm Beach County business owners are helping bridge the digital divide
The owner of the Amazon Hub on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Gina Pierre, is assisting families in applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (AFC). This program aims to provide internet access and discounted tablets to eligible individuals. The AFC was established in 2021 to address the lack of reliable high-speed internet in certain communities.
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 4: Quality Education – The program aims to provide technology to students in order to bridge the technology gap and ensure equal access to education.
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – By providing affordable connectivity and tablets, the program contributes to improving digital infrastructure and promoting innovation.
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities – The program targets individuals who participate in the free and reduced-price school lunch program, aiming to reduce inequalities in access to technology.
How to participate in the program
- Residents who participate in the free and reduced-price school lunch program can visit Gina Pierre’s business and sign up for the program.
- A one-time fee of $25 is required to receive a tablet. However, individuals who cannot afford this fee will have it covered by the 4 Ever Young wellness clinic and Amazon.
Impact and future goals
The program is part of a larger initiative directed by the FCC to provide free internet to people on government assistance programs, with a budget of $14 billion. Gina Pierre’s goal is to ensure that every student in Palm Beach County who receives free or reduced lunch has a tablet before the start of the school year.
Contact information
For more information about the program, please call 561-450-8700.
Follow us on social media
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- SDG 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of individuals who have access to the internet and a new tablet through the Affordable Connectivity Program (indicator for SDG 9.c).
- Number of students in Palm Beach County on free or reduced lunch who receive a tablet in time for school (indicator for SDG 10.2).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | N/A |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020. | Number of individuals who have access to the internet and a new tablet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Number of students in Palm Beach County on free or reduced lunch who receive a tablet in time for school. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wpbf.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
