Empowering Communities: YMCA’s Collaborative Journey Towards Digital Equity
YMCA, powered by HP, continues to drive change by promoting digitalization and IT skills, ensuring equity in our ever-evolving digital world. Our partnerships are integral to this mission.
We diligently research and select partners who embody integrity, passion, and commitment. We are honoured to work with diverse partners such as Close the Gap, Digital Collective (DigiCo), CodeNPlay, Maks and Le Monde des Possibles. Through these collaborations, we can reach more young people and communities, supporting the most vulnerable and underprivileged.
YMCA collaborates with partner organisations in Belgium to support a diverse range of vulnerable communities. We understand that some individuals fall through the cracks, and it is our mission as an NGO to close these gaps and create a more equitable society, starting locally. Our partnerships in Belgium are designed to address challenges head-on with effective, localized solutions tailored to each community’s needs.
Recently, in collaboration with DigiCo, a Brussels-based non-profit advocating for the digital inclusion of vulnerable groups, we connected with the team at Maks vzw in Brussels, Belgium. Maks vzw, a Computer Training School, promotes digital equity and upskilling for vulnerable communities in Anderlecht and Molenbeek.
We witnessed the successful use of digital peripherals donated through our HP partnership, empowering thousands of beneficiaries with essential IT skills and digital education.
Bernard Van Dieren, Director at Maks, introduced his team and outlined steps that organisations like ours can take to continue supporting vulnerable communities through digital upskilling.
This meeting was an excellent opportunity to present the YMCA’s mission and vision, emphasizing our commitment to empowering communities, enhancing digital literacy, and bridging the digital divide globally—a mission we share with our partners at HP.
Seeing the impact of HP’s donated devices on both beneficiaries and operations at various organisations is a privilege. The HyperX peripherals, especially the headphones and keyboards, are invaluable in developing the learning centre at Maks, providing unique learning experiences and creating a welcoming hub for IT, media, and digital literacy.
Finally, we extend our gratitude to the YMCA Belgium team for their logistical support in storing and distributing the devices. Their diligence and commitment have been crucial in achieving these outstanding results and fostering continuous partnership development in the country.