Dallas Innovation Alliance opens state-of-the-art technology lab at nonprofit Bachman Lake » Dallas Innovation

[Image sources: Tippapatt/istockphoto; DI]

Dallas' digital divide is now narrowing a bit. The Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) opens the doors to its newest technology hub, the Connected Dallas Tech Lab at Bachman Lake Together, representing a major milestone in its efforts to provide internet access and opportunity for all.

The new “community anchor site,” equipped with computers and Wi-Fi, is the second of eight brick-and-mortar walk-in centers scheduled to open by summer 2024 as part of DIA's Connected Dallas initiative. These technology labs offer free one-on-one visits for residents to sign up for low-cost internet plans, learn digital skills, and leverage technology to enhance their education and economic mobility. You can receive support from

Join us for the ribbon cutting for Connected Dallas Tech Lab at Bachman Lake! Photos: Suzanne Massey, Santander, Jamika Doekes, AT&T, Dr. Olga Hickman, Bachman Lake Together, Armando Cantu, CARDboard Project, Estefania Ramirez , City of Dallas, Jennifer Sanders, Dallas Innovation Alliance. [Photo: DIA]

“Achieving the goal of 'Internet for All' requires partnerships and comprehensive resource provision,” DIA Executive Director Jennifer Saunders said in a news release. “Fully engaging all Dallas residents in the opportunities that today's digital world offers is complex and requires each of us to play a role. Today represents a major moment in realizing this vision. Masu.”

The Bachman Lake Together site is currently open for regular business hours Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with additional evening and Saturday hours added each month.

Local Digital Ambassadors will also be running digital skills workshops. The City of Dallas views these new community anchor sites as critical resources for bridging the digital divide. The City is committed to collaboration across sectors to meet the connected needs of all residents,” said City Chief of Staff Genesis Gabino. “The Tech Lab at Buckman Lake Together supports digital access within our neighborhood and we're excited to take another step toward the internet for everyone,” Gabino said in News. stated in the release.

Connected Dallas partner CARDboard Project will contribute to this effort by providing workshops and case management services.

Trilogy NextGen Solutions will be showcasing the technologies offered in the Tech Lab for upcoming network segments. [Photo: DIA]

Major funding from partners

Major funding is provided by partners including AT&T, Santander Consumer USA Foundation, and Dallas Foundation. “We strongly believe that all communities should have affordable devices, high-speed internet, and essential digital skills to maximize connectivity,” said AT&T Assistant Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. Mayreina Albright added. “Our partnership with Connected Dallas brings us immense joy and we remain committed to a brighter future for Dallas.”

Residents and organizations can visit ConnectedDallas.org to request training sessions and digital ambassador office hours. “This second community anchor site allows for a physical hub for continued internet connectivity support,” said Christopher Pfirrman, chief legal officer at Santander Consumer, in a statement. It is stated in. “We are proud to support digital inclusion and economic prosperity.”

The Bachman Lake Together team celebrates the opening of the Connected Dallas Tech Lab with Jennifer Saunders at the Dallas Innovation Alliance. Pictured left to right: Elizabeth Holguin, Vanessa Lares, Monica Ordonez, Jennifer Saunders, Olga Hickman, Phoebe Garcia, Brenda Villarreal, Linda Garcia. [Photo: DIA]

For Olga Martinez-Hickman, executive director of Bachman Lake Together, the new technology lab will “connect entire families and community members to the latest technology and resources, improving education, economic mobility, and overall quality of life.” It represents a way to help people improve.

Bachman Lake Together is the Dallas-area anchor organization of the same name. Founded in 2009 through his five-year efforts with the Zero to Five Funders Collective, Bachman Lake Together works to increase the collective impact of community members, including more than 50 partner organizations, committees, and working groups. doing. Bachman Lake Together aims to enable children to thrive in school and life by giving them a solid foundation during their earliest, most critical developmental years, from ages 0 to 5. We are aiming for

Connected Dallas Digital Ambassador [Photo: DIA]

A place-based approach to digital skills training and access

The Connected Dallas program is part of the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA), a cross-sector partnership supporting Dallas' smart city strategy. Connected Dallas aims to provide tailored digital access touchpoints for the community, including text, chat, phone, online, and now in-person at local organizations like Bachman Lake Together. This hyper-local, meet-people-anywhere framework comes from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.

This program further strengthens DIA's mission to leverage data, technology and community partnerships to enable inclusive economic growth and improve the quality of life across Dallas.

Coming soon: The Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation Lab

Digital inclusion efforts don’t stop at Bachman Lake. A third community anchor site is scheduled to open in December at the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation. DIA says his eight planned walk-in centers are scheduled to open by summer 2024.