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R Spot
Lowering the digital divide, for all
Access to the internet is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
ABOUT US
At R Spot, we strive to make a difference by fixing an underlying issue in modern day life: the digital divide. The digital divide refers to the unequal access of technology and internet throughout the world, and we believe that with your help, we can help those who don't have access to such important aspects of modern living! We are entirely student run and based in Greater Boston, and our team looks forward to making a lasting difference for everyone!
Our Approach
RAISE AND DONATE
Every dollar counts. We receive money for R Spot through various outlets, then funnel the money into our partnered libraries. By doing so, we allow for the increase of a shareable network that is free and accessible to anyone.
TECH & INTERNET LITERACY
Even if someone has the technology, we recognize that not everyone knows its full capabilities, or how to use it! We teach classes mainly at libraries, but we are certainly willing to accommodate anything. We teach senior citizens how to set up the hotspots, and anything else that comes with it. This includes joining a zoom call, applying for a job, and more. Through classes like these for any age group, young or old, the R Spot community hopes that we make a difference that no amount of money can buy.
ADVOCATE
With the spread of Covid 19, American legislation shifted towards the quality of life within the home. As a result of this, funding was allocated towards programs that enrich the at-home experience. However, legislation that led to these programs carries less and less weight, causing funding for this issue to slow down. Here at R Spot, we engage in teen advocacy towards increased funding for this exact cause, with the hope that the digital divide can continue to be lowered on a scale that helps everyone!
Our Impact
$11,000+ pledged
37 libraries
8 States
FAQ
Where does the money go?
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Currently, the money that we collect is reallocated to those that we are partnered with. We partner with universities and libraries, ​and our partnership range anywhere from a hundred to thousands of dollars. We focus on their programs that provide Wi-Fi and internet, as that is the goal of R Spot. We pay for the hotspot data plans, bags, chargers, and often times the hotspot itself. This allows to either revitalize or optimize an already good program to its maximum state. We also have the power to individually give hotspots and routers to those in need that couldn't use a public service, but we generally use institutions as they are more common.
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Where does the money come from?
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Our money goes from businesses and individual donors. We take advantage of the locations that we are in (LA/Boston), as they are filled with generous people and organizations who are willing to help. As far as businesses are concerned, we generally receive one-time payments from small and larger businesses. We are currently an official sponsor/nominee for Microsoft, and HPE.
Who are we partnered with?
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We have built ties locally and nationally. We are partnered with libraries within Boston and Worcester, and the City of San Diego's public library system. Recently, we have spread to surrounding cities on each coast, which is reflected through our diverse membership All of these partnerships have been accumulated since mid-November 2022, and we are looking to build many more in the coming weeks.
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