For Immediate Release: February 11, 2026
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Hispanic Federation and Spectrum Partner to Provide $40,000 Grant to Upgrade the Technology at Avenues for Justice Harlem Community Center Technology Lab
Investment Aims to Close Digital Divide and Unlock Tech Opportunities for Underserved Community Members
New York, NY – Hispanic Federation and Spectrum today unveiled a major technology upgrade at Avenues for Justice (AFJ) Harlem Community Center, made possible through a $40,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant. The transformation addresses a critical need in the community, where despite growing discussions around technology and artificial intelligence, many residents still lack access to basic broadband and tech resources.
The upgraded Technology Center will serve as a vital community hub, providing workshops, resources, and hands-on learning opportunities for Harlem residents, AFJ program participants, and other New Yorkers seeking to develop technology skills and improve their career prospects. The initiative specifically targets young people involved in AFJ alternatives to incarceration programs, offering them pathways to education, employment, and long-term stability.
“Avenues for Justice is grateful to the Hispanic Federation, Charter Communications and Spectrum for recognizing what’s possible when we invest locally, collaboratively, and with intention,” said Elizabeth Frederick, Executive Director of Avenues for Justice. “I’m especially proud that this moment centers the voices of our Participants whose futures are shaped by whether systems invest in them or overlook them. Community-based justice isn’t just about keeping young people out of incarceration; it’s about ensuring they have the tools to thrive.”
“Spectrum Digital Education focuses on removing real barriers by helping people build the digital skills required to apply for jobs, pursue education and manage essential online services,” said Mike Williams, Regional Vice President of the NYC Region for Spectrum. “Through our nonprofit partnerships, we help turn connectivity into capability by creating pathways to opportunity and independence.”
“Access to technology is a necessity for economic opportunity and social mobility in today’s workforce, unfortunately access to the tools needed for building essential technology skills can be limited,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “This partnership with Spectrum represents our shared commitment to ensuring that underresourced communities, particularly at-risk youth, have the tools and skills they need to succeed in today’s digital economy. We are proud to support Avenues for Justice in this transformative work.”
“I need access to resources like education, housing, and financial assistance so I would be able to build stability instead of constantly struggling,” said Avenues for Justice Participant Vanessa P. “When I go to the Harlem community center the staff are mentors and positive role models because they guide me on how I can research and access all the resources I need by using the digital lab. For me to move forward it also takes good jobs and job training and I can type up my resume and search online for jobs at the digital lab.”
The investment comes at a pivotal time when technology skills are increasingly essential for workforce participation, yet many people continue to struggle with accessing reliable technology or internet access. The upgraded center will feature state-of-the-art equipment and expanded programming designed to meet the evolving needs of the community.
The Harlem Community Center Technology Lab offers a range of programs including basic computer literacy, internet safety, job application assistance, resume building, coding workshops, and other tech skill development opportunities. The center is open to AFJ participants as well as community members seeking to enhance their digital capabilities.
The grant, part of Spectrum Digital Education, supports initiatives that make a tangible impact on local communities. In 2025, Spectrum awarded a total of $1.1 million in Spectrum Digital Education grants to 55 nonprofit organizations that work to expand access to digital tools, skills training and resources in the communities Spectrum serves.
Since launching in 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has committed more than $11 million to support 202 unique organizations across Spectrum’s 41-state service area. The program has awarded 382 grants, helping to distribute 20,000 laptops, more than 50,000 sponsored digital education classes, benefiting more than 200,000 community members nationwide.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
About Avenues for Justice
Co-founded by Lower East Side residents, Robert Siegal and Angel Rodriguez and incorporated in 1979, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) was one of the country’s first alternatives to incarceration (ATI) programs for youth. For 47 years, AFJ has remained a trusted and effective model for community-based justice reform, keeping young people out of prison and on a path toward education, employment, and stability. In 1992, AFJ partnered with (ret.) Hon. Judge Michael Corriero to launch the Youth Part model in Manhattan’s Supreme Court. The model is now used nationwide where adolescents are tried separately from adults, promoting alternative to incarceration services. The organization continues to advance a vision where community-based justice—not incarceration—is the standard for supporting youth, families, and communities. AFJ maintains one of the lowest recidivism rates in the nation: 94% of court-involved Participants are not reconvicted of a new crime within three years of enrolling. Each year, AFJ serves more than 650 youth and young adults, ages 13–24, through our Manhattan courthouse offices and two community centers in Harlem and the Lower East Side. Long term, AFJ envisions a more just world for young people where ATI is the norm for our Participants, our community, and the wider youth justice field.
