WAKE FOREST – WRC’s [Wireless Research Center] DigitalBridge, a digital workforce development initiative launched in Wake Forest, was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Coastal Credit Union Foundation.
DigitalBridge’s virtual and in-person digital workforce training is provided at no cost to residents. It is designed to deliver fast-track certifications and connect people directly to job opportunities. DigitalBridge offers more than 130 courses and certifications for digital-skills training and certifications.
The Coastal Credit Union Foundation works to enrich the lives of members and communities by promoting financial well-being, increasing affordable housing, supporting financial education, and improving access to resources. The Foundation does this by providing financial support to 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily those serving Coastal Credit Union’s 16-county footprint in central North Carolina.
“We are proud to support DigitalBridge and digital skills training to provide access to resources in communities,” said Coastal Credit Union Vice President of Cooperative Strategies Emily Nail, who also serves as executive director of the Coastal Credit Union Foundation. “We look forward to helping launch the monthly Community Block Party series in Wake Forest to provide access to broadband resources, training, and digital careers.”
DigitalBridge participants receive digital training, coaching, and job pairing matched to individual goals; in-person or remote learning at their own pace; assistance from a career coach to guide their efforts; and affordable devices in partnership with Microsoft. The grant from Coastal Credit Union Foundation also supports a new, monthly Community Block Party in Wake Forest that launches April 15 from 1 p.m.. to 7 p.m. at the WRC DigitalBridge HUB at the Dubois Campus, 536 N. Franklin Street. Admission is free to enjoy games, music, visit food trucks and booths for vendors including artwork, paintings, and activities for children.
The block party is presented by the WRC’s DigitalBridge, Town of Wake Forest, National DuBois Alumni Association, and The Black Dollar Corp. Block party partners are building connections in the community as a catalyst for digital talent and new economic opportunities. DigitalBridge was launched in 2022 in Wake Forest in partnership with the Town of Wake Forest and the National DuBois Alumni Association.
“We are excited to collaborate with Coastal Credit Union Foundation to support our communities,” said Erica Hixon, project director for Connected Communities and DigitalBridge. “Each of our block parties will feature on-site digital career training, a real-time jobs board, food trucks, live music, and kids activities along with numerous small business vendors from The Black Dollar Corp. network.”
