Sunland Park, New Mexico (Monday, July 10, 2023) — In the wake of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan’s (D-NM) $675 Million Broadband Investments for New Mexico announcement, a local grassroots workgroup of community residents, non-profits and government entities from Doña Ana and El Paso counties will unveil and present findings and recommendations to increase digital literacy skills of residents in Southern Doña Ana County.
Mamacítas Cibernéticas received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the City of Sunland Park to produce a comprehensive community needs assessment to identify barriers and facilitators to improve digital literacy knowledge and skills in Southern Doña Ana County, plus a video documenting the input process.
The community and stakeholder conversations began in February of this year and the Findings and Recommendations Report will be unveiled to Sunland Park City Council, local stakeholders, and residents. The report, the first of its kind in New Mexico and the Borderland, describes the Key Components to create successful digital literacy programs. It also highlights the importance of local entities forming a community-wide coalition to plan and deliver digital literacy education and services based on the findings of the report.
“The city of Sunland Park Council recognizes the need for literacy, continued education, and public engagement,” said Sunland Park City Manager, Mario Juarez-Infante.
“Access to the internet is a basic need and our Senator’s announcement is great news and planning has begun on how to use these funds. However, closing the digital divide in New Mexico does not only mean providing reliable internet, but there also needs to be a clear plan to make sure everyone in our state can use the internet. Our Findings and Recommendations Report features a true community-driven plan which we hope will promote digital equity in the Borderland and beyond,” said Maria Chaparro, Mamacitas Ciberneticas team leader.
“As Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, I have been focused on delivering broadband investments to New Mexico to bring us closer to 100% connectivity. Recently, I was proud to announce $675 million in broadband investments for New Mexico that will support our students, families, and small businesses,” said U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján. “Now, we must support affordability and digital literacy so that our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. Mamacítas Cibernéticas and southern New Mexico residents are doing that work and coming together to improve digital literacy skills and education. I look forward to working with them to make this report a reality and bridge the divide for all New Mexicans.”
Members of Mamacítas Cibernéticas include:
Community members Maria Chaparro, Cruz Saenz and Norma Hernandez; Borderplex Connect members Kassandra Huhn, Stephanie Acosta and Daisy Maldonado; Learning Action Buffet (LAB) members Michelle Valverde and Tony Cruz; and Melanie Goodman, Field Representative for the Office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (NM); with additional support from honorary member Jennifer Case-Nevarez and the CommUNITY Learning Network.
The presentation will be given to members of the Sunland Park City Council, local stakeholders and interested attendees. The event is open to the public and media.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 6 PM
WHERE: Sunland Park City Hall, 1000 McNutt Rd. A, Sunland Park, NM 88063
Contact:
Stephanie Acosta, Program Officer, El Paso Community Foundation, 915-533-4020, sacosta@epcf.org
Rudy Vasquez, Marketing Director, El Paso Community Foundation, 915-533-4020, rvasquez@epcf.org
