GFiber is proud to support the work of AVANCE-Austin for the past five years, as they work to meet the basic needs of Austin families and go far beyond to help them thrive. Today, Stephanie De Leon, Senior Development and Communications Manager for AVANCE-Austin, shares how the organization provides holistic support, including tech skills and access, to their clients.

For close to 30 years, AVANCE-Austin has served under-resourced families through education classes and wrap-around support. AVANCE’s main programs — The Parent Child-Education Program and AVANCE to College — provide caregivers and their children, up to age four, with parenting and early childhood classes.

Along with providing educational curriculum, AVANCE-Austin assesses the basic needs of these families during monthly home visits. Basic needs support in areas such as food, healthcare, workforce development, childcare, transportation and technology. AVANCE Home Visitors connect families to over 40 community agencies and partner organizations within Travis County to help meet these needs.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, AVANCE-Austin families have reported an increased number of access barriers to education, healthcare and employment opportunities while lacking basic technology and digital skills. In 2020, 98% of families did not have home internet. Instead, they relied on their phones, which had limited data packages, to participate in AVANCE’s virtual programs. While phones are indispensable for staying connected, they fall short for more complex needs. Online classes, job applications, job training, and even the seemingly simple task of typing a resume are far from “phone-friendly.”

In a significant stride toward digital equity efforts, AVANCE-Austin has worked with GFiber, NTEN, Human IT and Digital UpLift to provide essential technology resources to under-resourced Travis County families. This collaboration aims to address the digital divide by offering Chromebooks, internet hotspots and comprehensive digital literacy training, ensuring families have the tools and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

From September 2024 to May 2025, AVANCE-Austin distributed over 350 technology devices, 25 hotspots, upskilled 10 staff members as Digital Navigators, and hosted basic digital literacy workshops to meet community needs.

One recent AVANCE-Austin program graduate shared, “Having quick access to information and the opportunity to learn new software programs was really exciting. I didn't know anything about all the different search engines available, and being able to complete the work online was very beneficial. It was great to have access to email and stay connected throughout the program. For some, it may seem like just an ordinary laptop, but for others, it's a huge accomplishment, as many had never used one before. They didn't know how to operate it, so being able to learn all that was truly a blessing.”

As technology continues to evolve, AVANCE-Austin remains committed to growing partnerships with community-centered businesses like GFiber to create an inclusive digital ecosystem. AVANCE envisions a world where all children and families have equitable access to resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.

For more information on AVANCE-Austin's programs and initiatives, visit www.avanceaustin.org.

Posted by Stephanie De Leon, Sr. Development and Communications Manager at AVANCE-Austin