The Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) is proud to wrap up its third consecutive school year partnering with Bogan High School’s Parent University - Network 10 to bring free Digital Literacy classes to the school community. This collaboration continues to make a meaningful impact, offering essential technology skills to parents and community members eager to grow in today’s digital world.

From September 2024 to June 2025, SWOP facilitated two learning cohorts — one in Spanish and one in English. The Spanish sessions took place every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, while the English sessions were held every Monday during the same hours. On average, 17 learners participated across both cohorts, showing up week after week with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Participants learned foundational skills in internet navigation, email communication, and how to confidently use Windows 10 and 11. These skills empower participants to stay connected with family, access vital online services, and improve their job prospects.

The commitment and consistency of these learners added up to an incredible achievement: collectively, both cohorts logged over 2,000 hours of learning and earned more than 50 digital literacy certifications. This accomplishment not only highlights the dedication of the participants but also the importance of creating welcoming, supportive spaces for adult learning in local schools.

One participant, Patricia Gonzalez from the Spanish cohort, shared how life-changing the experience has been for her:

"I just wanted to learn something new. When I heard SWOP was offering classes at Bogan, I signed up right away. Technology has changed everything. At my old job, I had to keep asking for help or have someone else finish tasks for me, and it made me feel bad. Little by little, I started teaching myself. When I realized I couldn’t even clock in on a touchscreen without help, I knew it was time to really start learning.

Now, I feel more confident. When something new comes up, I don’t approach it with fear — I see it as a chance to grow. I feel capable of handling things on my own. I especially wanted to learn how to send an email, and in our last class, we finally learned how. I’m so excited because now I can send an email to my kids. That means so much to me.”

As SWOP and Bogan High School celebrate another successful year of partnership, plans are already underway to continue expanding access to digital literacy opportunities for families in the community. Because when parents and caregivers feel confident navigating technology, it benefits not just individuals — but entire households and neighborhoods.

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