To help close the digital divide in underserved communities, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis has secured a $94,368 county grant that was awarded to S.H.A.P.E. Community Center to purchase and install 15 laptop and 15 desktop computers in its computer lab that will be open for Third Ward resident.
The grant, approved by Commissioners Court on Tuesday, also provides funds for S.H.A.P.E. to purchase and install supplies and equipment for its kitchen that serves free meals weekly to children, adults, and seniors.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on existing inequalities in our communities, including access to food, technology and internet connectivity,” Commissioner Ellis said. “I’m pleased that we can assist S.H.A.P.E. to get people in the Third Ward online so they can have vital access to essential services like education, employment opportunities and social services.”
On Thursday afternoon, Commissioner Ellis will be the guest speaker at S.H.A.P.E.’s dedication of its Marcos Mazula Technology Center, which is named after longtime S.H.A.P.E. volunteer and children’s educational advocate who started the first technology program at center. The grant funds will complement the services provided to S.H.A.P.E. by Houston Community College (HCC) and Siemens USA, who are introducing students to computer-aided design (CAD) software, 3D printing, and engineering pathways that are not always accessible to under-resourced communities.
“Computers and internet connectivity are no longer luxury items, but rather necessary tools to make sure our children can continue to learn,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Together, this is a public, private and nonprofit effort to close the digital divide. It takes a team effort to meet the community’s needs and improve the quality of life for people of all ages.”