Digital Navigator Program

JULY 2021 – PRESENT

Digital Navigator Program

The Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition of vital resources, such as employment and education services, to a strictly online presence. This has caused people who do not have access to digital connections or devices to fall behind in their ability to connect with the services they need. One promising innovation to address this challenge is the digital navigator concept. Digital navigators are people who connect community members with groups and programs to provide low-cost home internet service, an affordable computing device, and foundational digital literacy training based on their specific needs. Nonprofits, in particular, have a strong opportunity to fill this role, given the interactions they have through their work with those who lack digital access.

Strengthening the Impact

Through the Digital Navigator Program, part of the Digital Access for All initiative, The Patterson Foundation is training local organizations to connect asset-limited families and individuals with opportunities to obtain digital connectivity, devices, skills, and support. Comprising a series of trainings, implementation meetings, and knowledge-sharing sessions with other nonprofits, consultants help participants embed the responsibilities of the digital navigator into the organization’s daily work and culture.

DIGITAL NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE

Agency Name	Digital Navigator Supervisor	Contact Information	Website
CareerSource Suncoast	Anthony Gagliano	agagliano@careersourcesc.com Bradenton Career Center Phone: (941) 358-4200 Sarasota Career Center Phone: (941) 358-4200	careersourcesuncoast.com
Catholic Charities – Casa San Juan Bosco	Clara Alvarez	Clara.alvarez@catholiccharties- Phone: (863) 244-3255	catholiccharitiesdov.org/Casa-San-Juan-Bosco
DeSoto County Economic Development Department	Sondra Guffey	s.guffey@desotobocc.com Phone: (863) 993-4807 X100	desotobocc.com/183/Economic-Development
FUNducation Inc	Neirda Thompson-Pemberton	funducation@outlook.com Main Phone: 941-281-5813	funducation.org
Goodwill Manasot	Margie Genter	margie@gimi.org Main Phone: 941-355-2721	experiencegoodwill.org
Goodwill Manasota	Jill Shroyer	jill.shroyer@gimi.org Phone: 941-355-2721, x190	experiencegoodwill.org
Goodwill Manasota — Arcadia Community Resource Center	Jessica Pineda	jessica.pineda@gimi.org Phone: 941-355-2721 x232 DeSoto County Office Main Phone: (863) 491-1445	experiencegoodwill.org
Goodwill SWFL	Angela Hemstreet	angelahemstreet@goodwillswfl.org Office: 941-255-3884 Cell: 239-823-9158	goodwillswfl.org
Jrprenneur Brunch &YMCA Desoto	Asha Campbell	ashacampbell3@yahoo.com Main Phone: (863) 231-2310	jrpreneurbrunch.com
Multicultural Health Institute	Rebekah Prieto	rebekah.prieto@the-mhi.org Tel: 941-706-3362	the-mhi.org
Multicultural Health Institute	Darlene Brown	bdarlene742@gmail.com Tel: 941-706-3362	the-mhi.org
Multicultural Health Institute	Angela Miles	holy1957@gmail.com Tel: 941-706-3362	the-mhi.org
The Patterson Foundation	Ivonne Batanero	ibatanerotpf@gmail.com Tel: (941) 952-1413	Digital Navigator Program
The Patterson Foundation	Joni Hansen	jhansentpf@gmail.com	Digital Navigator Program
The Patterson Foundation	Carol Kranitz	ckranitztpf@gmail.com	Digital Navigator Program
Women's Resource Center	Brent Giangregorio	BGiangregorio@mywrc.org Main Phone: 941-727-6797 Address: 1926 Manatee Ave W Bradenton, FL 34205	mywrc.org

FAQ's

Click on frequently asked questions below to learn more about this initiative...

Why is The Patterson Foundation supporting the Digital Navigator Program?

The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by focusing on issues that address common aspirations and foster wide participation. It’s more important than ever for community members to be able to connect digitally to education, health, employment, and other vital services.

What is the Digital Navigator Program?

The Patterson Foundation’s Digital Navigator Program trains local organizations to connect asset-limited families and individuals with opportunities to obtain digital connectivity, devices, skills, and support. Through a series of trainings, implementation meetings, and knowledge-sharing sessions with other nonprofits, consultants help participants embed the responsibilities of the digital navigator into the organization’s daily work and culture.

What is a digital navigator?

A digital navigator is a person who provides individual or small-group assistance to community members who need low-cost home internet service, an affordable computing device, and foundational digital literacy training to make the most of the internet and its opportunities. Digital navigator assistance may be provided in person, by phone, or via email or text within the context of a full- or part-time position, as a volunteer, or within an existing job function.

Which organizations are participating in the Digital Navigator Program?

The following organizations have participated in the Digital Navigator Program:

Cohort 1 (Pilot Pioneers)

Cohort 2

Cohort 3

How does the Digital Navigator Program aspire to evolve?

The pilot of the Digital Navigator Program informed the creation and refinement of a digital navigator training model for future participants. The Digital Navigator Program also aspires to include opportunities for nonprofits to learn how to provide this training to other organizations and groups they collaborate with to expand the network of digital navigators in our region.

Who can I contact about the Digital Navigator Program?

For more information, contact Digital Access for All initiative lead Cheri Coryea: ccoryea@thepattersonfoundation.org.

Glimpse experiences from past program participants and learn about the impact of embedding digital navigation into their organization’s daily work and culture.

(total time: 5 minutes)

See More Videos About This Initiative

Digital Access for All

DA4A Podcasts

LinkedIn: Digital Access for All Discussion Group

The Gap

The Gap / Digital Navigator Program Flyer

The Gap / Digital Navigator Program Flyer in Spanish

Suncoast Digital Connect Webinar Series

Suncoast Connect Symposium

"TPF's Current Initiatives at a Glance"