Methodist Healthcare Ministries fights ‘digital divide’ with $21M investment

Saying it can be a major factor in health, a San Antonio nonprofit plans to invest $21 million over three years to help more Texans get online.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc., a faith-based organization that helps uninsured and low-income people access health care, announced Tuesday that it’s funding 20 groups that provide training, tools and connectivity to people across San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, midborder region and Austin.

The goal is to help knock down barriers that keep many offline, especially vulnerable populations that include the aging, incarcerated, disabled, veterans, rural residents, people with language barriers, low-income households and minorities.

“We think of digital equity as a ‘super social determinant of health’ because without it, you really can’t connect to other resources, whether that’s health care, education, workforce development,” said Monica Gonzalez, a Methodist Healthcare Ministry digital equity supervisor. “So, we know it is a basic need in order for our South Texas families to be connected and to really be involved in the digital economy.”

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the extent of the so called “digital divide” and how lack of access to digital resources hinders quality of life. Since then, entities at the federal, state and local levels have ramped up investments in closing these gaps.

For example, earlier this year, Bexar County set aside $25 million of its $389 million of federal pandemic relief to build high-speed internet infrastructure in unincorporated areas of the county and its suburban cities.

An estimated 130,000 households in San Antonio and another 30,000 in Bexar County don’t have broadband internet, according to a recent SASpeakUp survey. More than 65,000 lack access to digital devices.

Reasons for the disconnect involve affordability, knowledge and availability. Roughly 90,000 of those surveyed said they can’t afford broadband. Poor infrastructure — especially on the South Side — prevents at least 50,000 homes from accessing quality internet service.

Citing pharmacy pickups, making medical appointments and SNAP applications, Gonzalez said part of the effort is educating people that internet access is a health necessity.

“In order to be connected and really be active in today’s society, … you can’t do that without any technology,” she said. “When we talk about health equity, we can’t talk about it without talking about digital technology and digital access.”

Each of the organizations will help people get devices, education and internet connectivity, depending on individual needs.

Some of the groups that will receive funds include Community Tech Network, Empower House San Antonio, Family Violence Prevention Services, Girls Inc. of San Antonio, Goodwill Central Texas and South Texas Rural Health Services.

“We believe that by investing in advancing digital equity, we are not just helping communities to bridge the digital divide, but are also empowering them to access opportunities, connect with vital resources, and take charge of their well-being,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Our commitment to funding digital equity, evidenced by this investment across Texas, is a testament to our belief that everyone deserves the tools and skills to thrive in the digital age.”

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested roughly $5.5 million in digital equity since 2020.