John Boner Neighborhood Centers is working to improve internet access on the near east side.
Nearly 1 in 20 Marion County households have no access to the internet, according to 2023 Census data. And 21% of households had no desktop computers or laptops.
Through a partnership with AT&T and Human-I-T, 130 families served by the community center received refurbished computers on Nov. 11.
Shannon Harris wanted to get a laptop to help her 7-year-old son with homework.
“He is autistic and he does better with electronics,” Harris told Mirror Indy. “And right now I cannot afford to buy an iPad or computer.”
Sarah Goodman wants to use her new computer so she can go back to school.
“I need to get my high school diploma first, and then I want to go to school for nursing,” Goodman said.
Goodman, who is 27, is also the mother of four children, all under 7 years old. She plans to let her kids use the computer sometimes to play educational games.
The Boner Center is also working to improve internet access within the community center. The organization received $40,000 to update their computer lab and expand digital literacy programs.
The Boner Center offers job credential classes, financial workshops and other training throughout the year. And as more of life’s administration — applying for jobs, making doctor’s appointments, paying bills — is completed online, it’s important to help residents learn how to use a computer.
Upgrades to a computer lab
Some of the center’s computers haven’t been updated in more than a decade, said Kathleen Estrada, vice present of family success at John Boner Neighborhood Centers.
Estrada said a lot of people have cell phones, but it can be hard to read on small screens or difficult to use programs like Google Docs or Microsoft Word. She said the updates to the computer lab will help makes it easier for people to apply for assistance, update resumes and better read bank statements.
“It’s really just allowing our neighbors that we’re serving to be able to use a device that is really user friendly and also meets their needs to help them meet their goals and help them thrive,” Estrada said.
The computer lab will be updated next year.
Emily Hopkins contributed data reporting.
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Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.
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