NORTHEAST OHIO — Working parents and those with no broadband access share concerns over virtual learning.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio is stepping up to help.

What You Need To Know

  • In Northeast Ohio, the Boys & Girls Clubs estimates 70 percent of households in certain disadvantaged neighborhoods do not have internet access

  • Starting September 8, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio will transform sixteen locations into school day "ClubSmart Learning Centers."

  • The goal is to serve as many as 1,200 kids a day in 14 school districts across the region

The digital divide is a major issue nationwide, but specifically in Northeast Ohio, the Boys & Girls Clubs estimates 70 percent of households in certain disadvantaged neighborhoods do not have broadband internet access.

Starting September 8, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio will transform sixteen locations into school day "ClubSmart Learning Centers."

The goal is to serve as many as 1,200 kids a day in 14 school districts across the region.

"We think this gives our kids a sense of community that they desperately need, access to adult proctors to help them through the curriculum, of course, digital access and access to hardware, as well as meals throughout the day. And lastly, I think it just helps ease the mental stress on our kids and gives them creative outlets through other traditional Boys & Girls Clubs programming that we can provide in between or after their digital curriculum, so things like art or poetry," said Jeff Scott, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio.

Scott says the long-term goal is to build a strategic advantage for these children by offering this workforce readiness program.

For more information on how to sign up your child, click here.