From September 2010 to December 2012, I had the privilege of being part of an incredible initiative known as OneCommunity’s Connect Your Community Project (“CYC 1.0”). This transformative program provided free broadband training, affordable equipment, support, and accessible Internet to underserved residents across several regions including Northeast Ohio, Detroit, Appalachian Ohio, Winston-Salem, Lexington (KY), and Bradenton (FL).

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Through the CYC Project, over 25,000 individuals in these communities were empowered to:
 

• Advance their careers and financial prospects,

• Stay connected with colleagues, family, and friends,

• Expand their educational opportunities,

• Access critical healthcare and government services.
   

Supported by fifteen community partners and ninety dedicated "Connect Your Community Corps" members, we followed a hands-on approach to bridge the digital divide and foster sustainable broadband adoption. Participants benefited from free training sessions to enhance their computer skills, access to affordable refurbished computers for their homes, assistance in finding affordable high-speed Internet, and personalized guidance to navigate essential online resources.

CYC was made possible by an $18.7 million economic stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, representing one of the largest broadband adoption initiatives under the Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program.​​

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Following the conclusion of federal funding in December 2012, I continued to stay engaged. From 2012-2015, I remained committed to this cause, leading efforts to revamp and reorient the Connecting Lorain County residents. Under the leadership of LCCC in continuing the program evolved into a focused initiative aimed at remedial computer skill training, particularly geared towards enhancing career opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Collaborations with local school districts provided additional avenues to expand our impact.
 

Driven by the overwhelming response from past participants seeking further education, I dedicated my evenings to teaching free computer classes while balancing a full-time job. The impact of these efforts was profoundly motivating.
 

In response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, I took decisive action. Motivated by a deep-seated belief in the untapped potential of Lorain County, I founded Tekhne. This initiative aims to equip local residents with essential digital skills, positioning Lorain County as a hub of talent and opportunity.

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At Tekhne, we're dedicated to bridging the digital skills gap in Lorain County and empowering our community to succeed in today's digital landscape. In 2020, we partnered with the City of Elyria and Goodwill of Lorain County to secure $50,000 in Coronavirus Relief Funding for public service activities Since then, we've teamed up with a variety of local organizations, including the Lorain Public Library, City Rec centers, LorainCCC, local churches, Boys and Girls clubs, Ehove center, local Lorain and boosters, and over 25 local businesses, as well as our community foundation, to establish the Lorain County Digital Inclusion Group. As a proud affiliate of NDIA, we're committed to making a positive impact in our community.