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April 3, 2025

Padres Digitales: Empowering families through digital literacy

  • , community impact

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GFiber’s investment in digital equity goes beyond internet access. Through collaborations with organizations like Latinitas, we are helping to create a more inclusive digital ecosystem where all members of the community can thrive. 

In today’s increasingly connected world, digital literacy has become essential for personal, educational and professional success. Recognizing this, Latinitas, a nonprofit organization that empowers girls in Austin and San Antonio’s Latino communities to innovate through media and technology, has been at the forefront of digital inclusion through its Padres Digitales program. This initiative aims to empower parents with the skills and tools needed to navigate the digital landscape, ensuring they can support their children’s academic and professional aspirations in the digital age.

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The pressing need for digital inclusion 

Digital inclusion remains one of the most pressing issues in education and community development, particularly among underserved populations. For many families, access to technology and reliable internet is limited, creating barriers to resources, educational opportunities and the ability to engage with the growing digital world.

Padres Digitales seeks to eliminate these barriers by offering workshops that teach digital literacy and skills, focusing on everything from basic computer usage to understanding the digital tools necessary for remote learning, job searching and personal finance management.


Digital Literacy for Families

Digital literacy goes beyond learning how to use a computer. It’s about understanding the role of technology in education, how to access online resources and how to communicate effectively through digital platforms.

For parents, being digitally literate means being able to support their children in school, especially with the growing reliance on technology for remote learning and research. Moreover, digital literacy also opens doors to job opportunities, healthcare resources and civic participation, which are often conducted online.

Padres Digitales focuses on helping parents:

  1. Support children's education: Ensuring that children have access to digital tools and resources needed for homework, research and communication with teachers.
  2. Access online resources: Learning to navigate websites for essential services such as health care, financial assistance and legal aid.
  3. Enhance career opportunities: Gaining the skills needed to apply for jobs, update resumes and connect with potential employers through online platforms.
  4. Participate in civic engagement: Being able to vote online or access important government information in real time.
GFiber supports the Padres Digitales program in both Austin and San Antonio.  One parent who participated in the Padres Digitales program shared, “Before, I struggled to help my kids with their homework because I didn’t understand the tools they were using. Now, I feel more confident. I can help them with their studies and also learn how to navigate the internet for my own needs. This program has truly changed our lives.” 

A digital future for all

The collaboration between Latinitas and GFiber exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions to support digital inclusion. Through initiatives like Padres Digitales, more families are not only gaining access to the digital world, but they are also becoming active participants in shaping their own futures.

Posted by Salwa Yordi, Communications Director at Latinitas