WAKE FOREST, NC (April 11 2023) – WRC’s 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.”
Editor’s Note – An opportunity to take a photo of a check presentation by the Coastal Credit Union Foundation to the WRC’s DigitalBridge is scheduled for Friday, April 14, at 2:30 p.m. at the Dubois Campus, 536 N. Franklin Street in Wake Forest.
About the WRC
WRC is an independent nonprofit founded in 2010 as the Wireless Research Center to serve as a catalyst for collaborative innovation and technology-led economic development to improve communities. Today, WRC’s core initiatives are designed to improve wireless technologies, accelerate technology startups, support entrepreneurs, and spur economic development through education programs and digital job skills training. For more information, visit www.wrc-us.org.
About WRC Connected Communities DigitalBridge
Connected Communities DigitalBridge, a WRC initiative, bridges the digital divide with high speed, open-access broadband networks, upskilling, and job creation and placement for underserved communities. For more information, visit www.connectedcommunities.tech and www.mydigitalbridge.org
About the Coastal Credit Union Foundation
The Coastal Credit Union Foundation is a separate entity from the credit union. The mission of the Foundation is to enrich the lives of our members and their communities by providing financial support to 501(c)(3) organizations, particularly in the 16-county market of central North Carolina.
About Coastal Credit Union
Coastal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, financial cooperative, offering a full range of financial products and services. Coastal was chartered on August 31, 1967 with the mission of fostering the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Today, with $4.6 billion in assets, Coastal serves 323,000 members from 1,800 business partners and is among the leading financial institutions in North Carolina. Coastal operates 23 branches in central North Carolina and serves members in all 50 states through a network of 5,500 shared branches, 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs, mobile banking featuring mobile check deposit, and a robust offering of online services at www.COASTAL24.com. For more Coastal news, visit our online newsroom.
Media Contact
Scott Yates (for the WRC)
919-649-6621
scott@onpointpgroup.com