November 5, 2026
Connecting communities through student-led digital learning in San Antonio
This fall, IDRA expanded the program to San Antonio in partnership with Empower House and with support from gFiber, helping local students make a direct impact in their neighborhoods. Students are building technology, research and leadership skills as they prepare to teach adults how to navigate the digital world safely. The approach builds digital confidence across generations, develops young leaders and strengthens communities’ ability to address digital challenges while creating opportunities for students and adults to learn together.
And these students have already been hard at work!
Before developing their training sessions, the digital ambassadors conducted research to better understand the technology challenges facing their community. Their findings revealed that while 93% of survey respondents have a phone and three-fourths have a laptop, many still face challenges including slow internet speeds, connectivity issues, affordability and online scams.
Using those findings, the students identified the skills that could make the biggest difference for their neighbors. Now, they're preparing to lead community training sessions in November focused on evaluating online information, distinguishing advertisements from search results and recognizing phishing attempts and other online scams.
The students are also thinking about what success looks like beyond the classroom. During their planning, they shared their hopes that participants would leave feeling confident their personal information is safe and secure, equipped to recognize scams and prepared to put their new knowledge into practice. They also highlighted the importance of building their own communication and leadership skills, learning how to use computers and teach others.
That's the power of the IDRA Digital Ambassadors program
While adults gain practical skills to navigate an increasingly digital world, students gain valuable experience in research, technology, communication and community leadership. By helping one generation build digital confidence, the next generation is building the skills to lead.
Their leadership is already reaching beyond the program. IDRA Digital Ambassador Sophie Cimino is one of four paid student leaders that helped design and lead the Future Ready Youth Summit on Oct. 20. As part of Future Ready Week in Bexar County, the summit brought together 1,000 middle and high school students to explore careers, connect with employers, build interviewing and presentation skills and discuss challenges facing young people. Sophie led marketing efforts for the event.
At gFiber, we know that access to the internet is just one piece of digital inclusion. Having the knowledge and skills to make the most of that connection is just as important. We're proud to support IDRA and Empower House as they help San Antonio students become technology leaders and bring valuable digital skills to their neighbors.
We can't wait to see these digital ambassadors put their research and training into action this November!
Read about gFiber's community impact and more at gfiber.com/blog.
Posted by John-Michael Cortez, Government & Community Affairs Manager
