impreMedia launches Club Digital.

To help close the Digital Divide that disproportionately affects Hispanic families in America, impreMedia is launching Club Digital.

Club Digital’s summer pilot program will reach nearly three million Hispanics in California. The program launches August 1st with an extensive 30-day multimedia Internet training program in select impreMedia publications, including La Opinion, La Opinion Contigo and El Mensajero, and a network of community-based partnerships. Club Digital will provide a free opportunity for Californians to learn basic Internet skills. The program also includes an interactive bilingual website, www.laopinion.com/clubdigital, updated daily throughout August with new training lessons.

“Going online is a fast and easy way to find benefits that not only save money, but also transform lives,” said Monica Lozano, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, impreMedia. “It’s all there for the taking, whether we are talking about job listings, scholarships for college students, educational opportunities, medical resources or government services.”

Training lessons will cover a range of topics including Internet basics, Internet safety, online employment, education and health care opportunities. All lessons will be available on Club Digital’s bilingual website with many lessons accompanied by entertaining step-by-step instructional videos.

“Without access to the Internet and basic computer skills, millions of Californians remain at a competitive disadvantage in the job market,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “I am proud to support a program that empowers the people who remain on the wrong side of the Digital Divide by giving them the tools they need to take the first step into the digital age.”

While the adoption of broadband technology is steadily expanding across the nation and in California, and people increasingly use cell phones to go online, there are still vast differences among various ethnic and socio-economic groups, according to a 2011 statewide survey on Californians and Internet Technology by the Public Policy Institute of California. “We want to connect all Californians, especially the underserved, to the resources of the Internet,” said Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF). “Together we can work to close the Digital Divide and ensure no one is left behind.”

Club Digital has been made possible through a partnership with impreMedia, AT&T, CETF, and Dewey Square Group. “AT&T is committed to bringing high-speed Internet access to as many people and communities as possible,” said Anita Gabrielian, Regional Vice president of AT&T External Affairs. “The Club Digital training program will provide new opportunities and an improved way of life for all people.”

The California pilot program is the first step in a nationwide campaign. Club Digital will expand nationally in January 2012, and will reach more than 9.4 million Hispanics across several major U.S. cities.

For more information about Club Digital, please visit http://www.laopinion.com/clubdigital>.