Beyond Amo’s NYC Mission to Close the Digital Divide
Today, computers are used for everything from work, school, benefits, banking, medical records, taxes, job applications, and more; technology is at the heart of individual and community education, wellness, economic opportunity, and basic services. Yet, according to a recent report highlighted in a Gothamist article, nearly one in four Bronx households lack broadband internet at home, and one in three do not have a computer. These statistics are striking. With rising prices and limited financial resources, affordability renders technology an unattainable household expense, while free broadband internet and computer resources are also grossly limited. Technology and tech literacy are ever-increasing necessities, and computer and internet access should not be a privilege in 2025.
How the Digital Divide Impacts Bronx Families
The harsh reality is that the digital divide prevents communities from thriving. Namely, the digital divide prevents students and families in the Bronx from thriving. Parents are often faced with an impossible choice: buying groceries, or paying for an internet service. Derrick Lewis, the co-founder of the Bronx Community Initiative, reminds city officials and New Yorkers that technology will soon become “equally important as access to food, access to a roof over your head”. For many families, that day has already arrived, and technology is the gateway to stability and advancement. According to the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, only 47% of students who have no home internet or only cellphone‐based access, plan to complete a post-secondary education program. By comparison, that number rises to 65% for students who have fast home internet. Without reliable and available technology, gaps in education widen.
Limited Access Creates Long-Term Academic and Economic Barriers
Available technology allows students to skill-build and develop the tools that prepare them for careers in a technology-driven world. The Center for an Urban Future reported that out of all boroughs, the Bronx has the most limited access to broadband internet at home. This is especially concerning given the growing number of jobs across industries that now require digital skills. From healthcare to construction to retail, employers increasingly expect workers to be comfortable using computers, tablets, and online systems. If Bronx students do not have early and consistent access to these tools, they risk inadequate preparation for their academic careers and professional lives. This disparity can affect a family for generations.
Why Closing the Digital Divide Matters to Beyond Amo
We say this not to discourage families, but to highlight how necessary our work at Beyond Amo truly is. For us, closing the digital divide matters deeply, and we have developed community-first strategies to further this goal. For students, reliable internet and adequate devices do not just affect homework completion or test scores--consistent access to reliable internet and computers allow students to develop new skills, build necessary tech competence, and explore their curiosity. Students who can code, design, or research online are better prepared for future academic and professional landscapes. And we know how to help.
How Beyond Amo Supports Bronx Students and Families
At Beyond Amo, our mission is to inspire a love of learning without limits. We believe that loving a community means serving it, so we work tirelessly to close the divide through programs designed to bring both possibility and inspiration to the Bronx and across boroughs. While our coding, tech entrepreneurship, and digital art offerings (to name a few) empower students to become tech-literate creators, this requires reliable internet and capable machines. Luckily, we have those covered: through in-person labs, Beyond Amo is bringing tech availability to Bronx-based students, schools, and families. Beyond Amo’s activities such as coding, parent workshops, teacher PD, digital art, esports, and AI, demand powerful hardware and fast connections--and we make this all available in safe, supportive spaces.
Preparing Students and Families for a Tech-Driven Future
We are preparing students for the future with programs that demystify new tools and help them engage with technology responsibly and creatively. And we know that families are at the heart of learning, which is why we offer parent workshops focused on digital literacy, online safety, and navigating devices and platforms. When parents gain confidence with technology, the entire household benefits.
What It Will Take to Truly Bridge the Digital Divide
The road ahead will require coordinated action. City and state governments must invest in affordable broadband, providers must commit to equitable service, and nonprofits like ours must continue to provide training and support. The challenge is real, but the impact of progress is undeniable. When Bronx students gain reliable devices and internet, their academic work improves, their confidence grows, and their families experience greater stability. At Beyond Amo, we see every day how access transforms possibility. By bridging the digital divide, we are ensuring that the love of learning truly has no limits.
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