Spectrum Awards $20,000 Grant to Martha's Village & Kitchen

Spectrum announced Martha’s Village & Kitchen has received a $20,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant for their digital education program for homeless and impoverished families. In 2023, Spectrum is awarding $1.1 million total to 46 nonprofit organizations through Spectrum Digital Education, which supports broadband technology programs, education and training in unserved and underserved communities throughout the company’s service area.

Martha’s Village & Kitchen is a nonprofit who helps its neighbors in need break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by promoting self-sufficiency through an innovative continuum of care, multi-disciplinary programs and partnerships that come together.

The grant was presented at a digital literacy class held at Martha’s Village & Kitchen’s facility in Indio. Councilmember Elaine Holmes and Spectrum executives participated in the celebration. The funding will be used to expand Martha’s Digital Education for Homeless & Impoverished Individuals & Families program to assist adults and youth acquire digital skills and competencies necessary to successfully enter the labor market and earn wages.

“It is with great pride that Martha’s Village and Kitchen, Inc. will be partnering with Charter Communications/Spectrum to provide digital training and education for both adults and children in need in the Coachella Valley,” said Samuel Hollenbeck, President & CEO of Martha’s Village & Kitchen. “Such training is vital in the process of allowing individuals and families to gain the skills needed to function and work in an ever-increasing digital society.”

Hollenbeck added. “These skills will result in increased job opportunities for those that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. For young/young adults these skills will allow them to keep pace academically and prepare them to excel at the next level.”

“I am thrilled to see Spectrum's commitment to digital education through their generous grant to Martha’s Village & Kitchen,” said Councilmember Elaine Holmes. “Empowering homeless and impoverished individuals with the tools and knowledge to succeed in our digital world takes a critical step toward breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness in the Coachella Valley. I commend Spectrum and Martha’s Village & Kitchen for their dedication to creating brighter futures for our residents.”

Spectrum’s Commitment: $9 Million and Counting

Martha’s Village & Kitchen is one of 46 nonprofit organizations across 14 states that Spectrum is supporting through the 2023 Spectrum Digital Education grants. Since the program’s 2017 launch, Spectrum has committed more than $9 million total to the initiative and has awarded 261 grants to 143 unique partners. As of September 2023, Spectrum Digital Education has helped to fund more than 30,000 digital education classes, distribute over 13,000 devices including laptops and support the creation of 157 tech labs.

“The importance of expanding access to essential broadband technologies, education and training is profound in our increasingly digital world,” said Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact, Charter. “Through the 2023 Spectrum Digital Education grant program, Charter is partnering with valued nonprofits that share our commitment to create better opportunities for the communities we serve.”