Time Warner Cable Partners with League of United Latin American Citizens to Empower Latino Communities with Technology

Time Warner Cable and the League of United Latin American Citizens have partnered to expand broadband Internet technology training to underserved Latino communities throughout the United States. The three-year $200,000 grant by Time Warner Cable will support technology centers that provide training, technology and support services in Latino communities served by the company. Under the agreement, the centers will receive technology benefits such as a broad array of technology equipment including desktop computers, laser printers, high speed internet access, LCD projectors and technology curriculums.

The centers -- located in San Antonio, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri (existing); Waukesha, Wisconsin (existing); Charlotte, North Carolina, and Cincinnati, Ohio -- were selected by a National grant competition based on each site’s competitive progress, its level of need to better serve the local community and its innovative application of technology. The five centers will become a part of LULAC’s Empower Hispanic America with Technology Network -- that currently provides broadband access free of charge to 100,000 visitors annually.

"LULAC is delighted with the tremendous support and partnership developed with Time Warner Cable to bring the latest technologies to the Hispanic community,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. "Studies have show time and time again that those with access to technology resources fare better in life than those that do not. With this funding, we will be able to provide to those who are in most need of these services.”

The LULAC community technology centers provide access to and instruction on modern computer technology in addition to assistance with résumés, college application preparation, GED preparation, financial aid research, and online citizenship and job-search programs. Program participants use high speed Internet access, computer equipment and basic office applications software to develop job skills, research career options, educational opportunities, and access money management, English language, and online citizenship curriculum.

Fifty-eight percent of Hispanics regularly use the Internet, compared with 79 percent of whites, (Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, 2009). Clients served are low-income and/or first-generation American Hispanic youth and adults, the majority of whom have never used a personal computer and do not have one at home. Empower Hispanic America with Technology is aimed directly at closing the digital divide and combating these inequities by giving Hispanics the necessary skills to compete in today’s technology-driven workplaces.

"This partnership deepens our relationship with the communities we serve by bringing them the essential benefits of technology while fulfilling Time Warner Cable’s commitment to engage young people to participate in our program to Connect A Million Minds, designed to inspire students to pursue learning opportunities and careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields,” stated Fernando Laguarda, Vice President External Affairs & Policy Counselor at Time Warner Cable.

About LULAC

The League of the United Latin American Citizens is the largest and oldest member based Latino civil rights organization in the United States. It advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, housing health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

About Time Warner Cable

Time Warner Cable is the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., with technologically advanced, well-clustered systems located in five geographic areas — New York State (including New York City), the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California (including Los Angeles) and Texas. Time Warner Cable serves more than 14 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers a suite of phone, Internet, Ethernet and cable television services to businesses of all sizes. Time Warner Cable Media Sales, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions that are targeted and affordable. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.timewarnercable.com, www.twcbc.com and www.twcmediasales.com.