City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) is offering two new initiative programs. 

Giovanny Reyes, a student of Harold Washington College, said, "Chicago Connected is a wonderful service being offered to students to help students with the digital divide."

CCC is seeking to ensure that all its students are equipped with the necessary digital resources for success in their studies. To bridge the digital divide, two efforts have been introduced by CCC to provide increased access to digital equity and resources. 

Chicago Connected, a partnership among CCC, Chicago Public Schools and the city of Chicago, is offering an unprecedented opportunity for citizens of the city, free high-speed Internet access.

This innovative program stands to be particularly beneficial for lower-income families and people of color, who will have an easier time accessing digital learning. The goal is to ensure that everyone in the city has the same opportunities to access educational materials online, regardless of their economic status. 

CCC says it is offering its students a unique opportunity to own a laptop computer. Through the Learn to Own Laptop program, eligible credit students can borrow a laptop for one semester and keep it the following semester after successfully meeting certain criteria. 

The initiative aims to open up opportunities to technology-driven education and help bridge the digital divide in order to increase student success rates.

To be eligible, credit students must complete two semesters at any of the seven CCC campuses. During the first semester, they will have access to a loaner laptop they can use while participating in online learning activities and engaging with their coursework in a virtual environment. 

After completing both semesters, they can keep the laptop and enjoy its full benefits as their own device.