Recap: 2024 Digital Inclusion Week at the YMCA

At the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, we’re all about fostering connections — and that includes digitally! 

That’s why we celebrated 2024 Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) earlier this month, from October 7 through October 11, by hosting a variety of free workshops open to all community members at our YMCA Tech Hubs. These workshops covered a variety of topics, empowering people to build digital literacy skills. 

At the Kelly Hall YMCA, our Digital Navigators hosted Apartment Hunting workshops, where we dived into the nitty gritty of looking for a new place to call home. This included a dive into financial literacy, establishing tenant-landlord relationships, and tips for scouting apartments.  

At the McCormick YMCA, our Professional Communication workshop helped those who may be new to or considering entering the workforce by sprucing up their email etiquette when communicating with potential employers before, during, and after interviews. 

At the Irving Park YMCA, we explored the world of social media at the Facebook for Beginners workshop. Our community members learned how to safely expand their networks and post their life updates. 

And that’s not all! We also hosted community-building events to promote the importance of digital equity and build connections between our Digital Navigators and community members. Attendees had the chance to win prizes while playing fun digital equity-themed bingo and jeopardy games — all while building knowledge and friendships.  

“In this digital age where technology is ever evolving, the digital divide is more prominent than ever and that's why digital equity is so important,” said Kimberly Chu, Tech Hub Manager, YMCA of Metro Chicago. “DIW is all about advocacy, outreach, and celebrating the wins, while also acknowledging why staying connected matters. In our Tech Hubs at the Y, the Digital Navigators serve and help community members with building the necessary skills to stay connected that will ultimately be beneficial to them.” 

Thank you to everyone who came out to our DIW workshops and events! Special thanks to our Digital Navigators for championing digital equity and empowering community members to access essential online skills. 

Learn more about the YMCA of Metro Chicago Tech Hubs, made possible due to our partnership with Comcast, via our Digital Equity webpage. For more events like the DIW workshops, sign up for our email updates!