P.U.E.N.T.E.S

Pathways to Uplift and Empower through Novel Technology and Education Services

Hosted in Compton, Los Angeles, CA, the PUENTES program targets Latino families, specifically those that have language and cultural barriers that present an obstacle to understanding technology and how to utilize its benefits. The purpose of this program is to cultivate a learning environment for both parents and children of disadvantaged households through skills, resources, and tools needed for digital literacy.

The PUENTES program offers a synchronous learning platform designed to promote the efficient and effective use of digital tools, enhance skills, and improve internet literacy for low-income students and
Spanish-speaking parents to help “bridge” the language translation and technology digital divide. Participants will engage with trained facilitators in positive, interactive, bilingual virtual learning
environments.

Participants will learn computer basics and practical digital skills for work and life to acquire knowledge and have access to a host of internet resources. The program will provide digital equipment, such as laptops, tablets, and software to families to improve digital skills through virtual classes. Participants will sharpen technical competencies and grasp lifelong principles that may inspire educational improvement and workforce preparation.

Within the program the participants will become digitally literate in an authentic, culturally relevant context, as they learn social responsibility and the use of social networks while involving parents’ participation in supervising children’s activities, and becoming familiar with access to their child’s academic progress. Becoming familiar with computers and the equipment related to their use gives participants the skillset and confidence to apply their understanding of technology for an improved quality of life. This will enable
participants to continue to develop their proficiency with computer literacy by using the acquired knowledge for a range of functions that include academic, career, and personal growth.

We would like to thank Frito Lays with partnering with us; by doing so they have offered these opportunities for many participants of this program.