Lara Van Matre
Sister Carmen Community Center: Digital Equity Programs Coordinator
Lara Van Matre is the Digital Equity Programs Coordinator at Sister Carmen Community Center, a Family Resource Center in Lafayette Colorado. In 2017 several Boulder County community organizations came together to apply for grant funding to help marginalized communities and individuals bridge the digital divide. The backbone of the ensuing digital inclusion work includes 8 week Basic Digital Skills Courses, device distribution and assistance in accessing affordable home internet service. We have continued to expand geographically, offering the program in more than 20 sites, and in the number of persons served. Lara has a BA in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, and prior to her work in Digital Equity, she worked as a Bilingual Speech Pathologist working with kiddos in Early Intervention, and in the K-12 setting. Working directly with Colorado families from all walks of life opened her eyes to the inequity woven into the fabric of our society and fostered an interest in tackling it from the digital perspective.