Gov. Kahty Hochul announced more than $2.1 million in awards to various nonprofit organizations to improve public access to technology.

The Kingsbridge Heights Community Center is one of 43 organizations awarded up to $50,000 to provide technology resources to their communities.

The center is opening up a new family enrichment center that will have a state-of-the-art computer lab. The lab will have over 15 laptops and several desktops available for the community to use. The center will also provide free digital literacy classes for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“I'm excited because I think it's more equitable for our community. I think in a community that's full of black and brown individuals, it's hard to get the resources that we need to kind of be on the same page as everybody else. So this levels the playing field,” said Diamond Brown, a life-long participant at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center.

“I think is going to be a huge impact to the community in general, just providing this sort of home away from home and open space that the community can come in and connect,” said Kiani Oro, the director of the new family enrichment center.

Oro tells News 12 they plan to open the center in the coming months.

The New York secretary of state said this is just the first round of several rounds of award money granted to New York organizations. They hope this will be a major step in bringing adequate access to technology resources for New Yorkers, right in their communities.

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