Digital NEST and AT&T Open New Connected Learning Center in Salinas

Digital NEST has opened a new Connected Learning Center inside its Salinas location, created in partnership with AT&T and supported by the Hispanic Federation. The center introduces a modern, accessible computer lab designed to give young people and families greater access to technology, high-speed internet, and digital skill-building programs. It is one of 25 new centers AT&T plans to support across the country in 2025, and the 17th to open in California.

For Digital NEST, the new learning space strengthens its ongoing mission to equip Latinx and underserved youth with the tools and experience needed to build careers in today’s digital economy. Leaders at the organization emphasized how the partnership helps eliminate barriers to opportunity and aligns with their commitment to economic equity.

The expansion arrives at a critical time. Many households throughout California still struggle to access reliable internet or up-to-date devices…limitations that directly affect school performance, job access, and digital participation. Salinas community leaders noted that the new center will help bridge these gaps by providing essential resources at no cost.

The Connected Learning Center offers free high-speed AT&T Fiber internet, Dell OptiPlex computers with built-in webcams, and guided access to AT&T’s learning platform, The Achievery. Community members can also take part in digital literacy classes, tutoring sessions, and mentoring opportunities supported by AT&T volunteers and local partners. The Hispanic Federation contributed funding for the computer lab, continuing its work to advance digital equity for Latinx communities across the country.

Supporters of the project highlighted that basic digital skills are increasingly linked to workforce success. By offering a dedicated space where youth can learn, practice, and explore technology, the center aims to prepare more residents for the careers shaping the future.

AT&T’s Connected Learning Centers are part of a broader effort to help millions of people get connected to high-speed internet by 2030. Partnering directly with community-based organizations like Digital NEST ensures these resources reach the people who need them most.

The project was made possible with equipment donations from Dell Technologies and installation support from World Wide Technology, rounding out a collaborative effort to build a more connected Salinas.

The opening of the Connected Learning Center marks another step toward closing the digital divide and expanding pathways to education, creativity, and economic opportunity for youth and families across the region.