LA Mayor Wants to Close Digital Divide Among Hispanics

LOS ANGELES --Los Angeles today took a major step in helping its Latino residents bridge the digital divide. LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa kicked off Club Digital, a bilingual, multimedia Internet training program that will reach nearly 3 million Latinos in California during its summer pilot program.

Villaraigosa praised the program for its effort to close the digital divide.

“Without access to the Internet and basic computer skills, millions of Californians remain at a competitive disadvantage in the job market,” said Villaraigosa. “I am proud to support a program that empowers the people who remain on the wrong side of the Digital Divide by giving them the tools they need to take the first step into the digital age.”

The program was created by impreMedia, a Hispanic news and information company.

“Going online is a fast and easy way to find benefits that not only save money, but also transform lives,” said Monica Lozano, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, impreMedia. “It’s all there for the taking, whether we are talking about job listings, scholarships for college students, educational opportunities, medical resources or government services.”

Participants can access Club Digital’s free bilingual website that offers training lessons covering basic Internet skills, Internet safety, online employment, education and health care opportunities.

The California pilot program will run for the next 30 days in select impreMedia publications, including La Opinión, La Opinión Contigo and El Mensajero, and a network of community-based partnerships. It is the first step in a nationwide campaign that will expand nationally in January 2012 and reach more than 9.4 million Latinos across several major U.S. cities.