Giving Compass' Take:

• Christ Teale summarizes Seattle's "Digital Bridge" program, which aims to reduce the digital divide for low-income workers during coronavirus.

• Why is ubiquitous internet access becoming more essential in the 21st-century? What can we learn from the successes and failures of Seattle's Digital Bridge launch? Are you prepared to support similar programs in your community?

• Learn about San Diego's effort to bridge the digital divide for families during the pandemic.

The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) joined with Comcast and a variety of partners to launch its "Digital Bridge" program, a pilot that will provide low-income job seekers with free laptops and broadband connectivity to bolster their digital skills.

City officials said the program was developed in response to the economic recession brought by the novel coronavirus pandemic, which triggered massive job losses, especially among people of color, immigrants and those who lack stable housing. Digital Bridge will assist the participants of various remote workforce development programs — provided through the Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI) — in applying for jobs.

The pandemic has highlighted what many have described as an "amplified" digital divide, as libraries and community centers close to the public. Such closures intend to prevent the spread of infection, but have also prevented many people from accessing the technology and tools they need to stay connected.

And despite its role as a tech hub, Seattle has a major digital divide. Around 14% of residents lack home internet in the city. There have been numerous ideas to reduce that, including the Upgrade Seattle group that advocates for internet to be a municipal utility like water, gas or electricity.

As cities look to plot a path forward from the pandemic, partnerships to provide devices to residents in need are taking on increased importance. A similar program in San Diego would provide refurbished city computers to residents who lack a device at home, while advocates have said there is a need for ubiquitous internet given its importance in everyday life — similar to how electricity was made ubiquitous in the 20th century.

Read the full article about Seattle's Digital Bridge program by Chris Teale at Smart Cities Dive.