EveryoneOn
Location
ServicesLow/No-cost Internet Access
Affordable Computers
Digital Skills Training
MethodCollective Impact
Key people
Ben Hecht (Chairman)
Carlos Slim (Board)
Jed Katz (Board)
Jorge A. Martinez (Board)
Josh Gottheimer (Board)
Zach Leverenz (CEO)
WebsiteEveryoneOn.org
Connect2Compete.org

EveryoneOn is a nation wide non-profit organization in America serving to lower costs of internet service, as well as offering digital skill training.

History

In a May 2011 speech, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski challenged the technology industry to help close the adoption gap.[1] In response, a group of Internet service providers, technology companies and nonprofits collaborated to establish a public-private effort targeting the digital divide.[2] This new initiative, announced as “Connect to Compete” by Genachowski on October 12,[1] would focus on providing families meeting certain eligibility criteria with affordable Internet and computer offers for their homes. In his remarks, Genachowski stated that “having one-third of [21st century] Americans sitting on the [broadband] sidelines is as unthinkable as having one-third of our country without electricity in the 20th century.”[1]

Connect to Compete, or Connect2Compete as it soon came to be known, was initially housed at the D.C.-based nonprofit organization One Economy Corporation.[1] Ben Hecht, President and CEO of Living Cities, assumed the role of Board Chairman and helped C2C secure grants from the Carlos Slim Foundation, the Knight Foundation and the Wasserman Foundation to support the initiative[3] in tandem with the commitments made by computer and software companies, training centers, and high-speed internet providers.[3]

On March 21, 2013, C2C launched EveryoneOn,[4] an Ad Council public service campaign intended to motivate Internet non-adopters to become connected and direct them to no-cost digital literacy training in their communities.[5] The campaign's primary objective is helping the 60+ million unconnected Americans and encourages individuals age 23+ who are non- or limited Internet users to "do something better online."[5]

Just over three weeks later, on April 16, 2013, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his city's intention to serve as a pilot locale in the EveryoneOn campaign.[6] Emanuel called the program as "a great example of the public and the private sectors working together to craft innovative solutions to prepare our workforce for the global economy.”[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "FCC unveils new broadband access program". Reuters. October 12, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  2. ↑ "FCC and "Connect to Compete" Broadband Fact Sheet". FCC.gov. November 9, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Broadband Lifeline and Connect2Compete Mark a New 'Broadband Moment' Around Adoption and Usage". BroadbandBreakfast.com. July 12, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Reaching Those on the Wrong Side of the Digital Divide". The New York Times. March 20, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  5. 1 2 "EveryoneOn: Bringing Digital Opportunity to All Americans" (Print). Washington, D.C.: Connect2Compete.
  6. 1 2 "Mayor Emanuel Announces New Campaign to Expand Affordable Internet Options for More Than One Million Chicagoans". Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago. April 16, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
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