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Advancing Digital Equity Together: Goodwill and The Center for Digital Equity Empower Communities

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January 26, 2026
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At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, we believe everyone deserves access to the skills and tools needed to succeed in today’s digital world. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Center for Digital Equity (CDE) to bring free computer training – and free laptops – to people across our region.

Through the CDE’s ConnectTech program, participants learn essential digital skills that open doors to employment, education, and overall independence. With more than 90 percent of jobs in North Carolina now requiring digital proficiency, this kind of access is critical.

Classes are led by the CDE’s digital navigators and hosted at community-centered locations like Goodwill’s Career and Employment Centers in Charlotte and Gastonia. Participants build confidence using technology for everyday tasks, from emailing and applying for jobs to navigating online platforms for school and healthcare. By June of 2026, 900 laptops will be distributed to participants who complete the program’s required assessments.

Goodwill is honored to collaborate with partners like CDE, the YMCA, and others committed to creating a more equitable digital future for our community. Together, we are helping hundreds of residents gain the tools they need to build brighter futures.

Learn more about Goodwill’s free digital skills offerings at this link.