YOUNGSTOWN - The Oak Hill Collaborative gave out thirty-five laptops to graduates of the 'Hardware 4 Homes' program. The organization offers free courses for Mahoning Valley residents.

Boardman resident Panzy Bozanich says she wanted to stay up to date with her computer skills.

"I've been using computers since high school, but so much has changed," she said.

The purpose of Hardware 4 Homes, and Oak Hill Collaborative, is to close the digital gap between people with and without access to internet services, according to Executive Director Pat Kerrigan.

"For people who don't have full and complete access to the internet are really gonna be left behind, and they're gonna get bigger between socioeconomic classes," he said.

The program is in partnership with AT&T, which donated 50 refurbished laptops to the Oak Hill Collaborative. The donations are part of a $5 billion initiative by the company to give 25 million people access to high-speed internet by 2030.

Tony Costanzo, Director of External and Legislative Affairs of Northern Ohio at AT&T, claims the company has invested about $2 billion into wireline and wireless networks across the state.

"As we invest in communities, we wanna make sure we invest in non-profits to make sure folks are able to have those resources and digital skills as we move forward," he said.

Event information is available on the Oak Hill Collaborative's digital advantage schedule.