Austin Free-Net Selected as USA TODAY Grant Recipient

Austin Free-Net today announced the nonprofit was selected as one of 39 Texas-based nonprofits eligible for matching donations from A Community Thrives 2020 fundraising challenge. The online event runs through Oct. 16,2020.

Austin Free-Net brings computer literacy classes for older and less tech savvy Austinites, maintains a community computer lab, and leads workforce readiness programs in partnership with Austin Community College. The public computer lab is available for community members seeking assistance with job applications, certification completion, social service applications and other workforce readiness and healthcare necessities.

“We plan to continue working to make sure all our clients from high school students to Austin’s elderly have both the hardware and the knowledge needed to navigate the digital world,” said Skye Downing, executive director, Austin Free-Net. “However, we need the community’s help to earn the maximum amount of funds to strengthen our efforts.”

Austin Free-Net
Austin Free-Net has been working toward digital equity in partnership with the city of Austin for 25 years. In 2020, Austin Free-Net has served over 10,000 Austenites and provided over 7,500 hours of training. Recently, Austin Free-Net donated over 500 refurbished computers to AISD and ACC students ahead of the 2020 fall semester.The organization is addressing the problem of digital literacy through its free training courses, its public access labs offering time on computers to learn, and its passionate volunteers and staff who assist in the labs with any technological challenges that may arise. Austin Free-Net’s ACCELERATE IT Workforce Development Program was launched in August 2016 allowing Austin Free-Net to train individuals with the CompTIA certifications they need to begin a career in Information Technology. Additionally, Austin Free-Net offers job skills training to assist in resume writing, interview practice, and connecting clients with employers for employment. Austin Free-Net continues to have a positive effect on Austin area communities in closing the digital divide. To learn more about Austin Free-Net and their training events, visit https://austinfree.net.

About A Community Thrives
A Community Thrives is sponsored by the Gannett Foundation and the USA TODAY network. Austin Free-Net is proud to be a partner with both the Gannett Foundation and the USA TODAY network. Participants are identified out of hundreds of applicants from across the nation. Austin Free-Net was selected as one of the thirty-nine Texas-based nonprofits eligible for matching donations from A Community Thrives.

ACT-AFN Donations: http://bit.ly/atxnet
Volunteer: https://austinfree.net/volunteer/

Social Media
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/austinfreenet
Twitter: http://twitter.com/austinfreenet
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Contact: Jim Trainer, james.trainer@austinfree.net
737-238-6784