METRO’s Digital Equity Research Center recently had the opportunity to talk with Marwa Alnaal, Director of Advocacy and External Affairs at Tech Goes Home (TGH): a Massachusetts-based organization that provides community members with access to devices, internet, & digital skills training.
Last year, METRO and TGH co-authored a white paper with recommendations on measuring the impact and improving outcomes for digital equity programs like those run by TGH. In the below Q&A, Marwa shares how research and evaluation are leveraged across the organization and what she took away from participating in our project, which engaged staff across the organization.
Marwa, thank you so much for chatting with me! Tech Goes Home has an incredibly strong advocacy department. Can you tell me a bit about your role and what your team at TGH does?
As the Director of Advocacy and External Affairs at Tech Goes Home, I play a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to bridge the digital divide. My responsibilities include:
Advocacy:
- Leading efforts to influence public policy and secure funding to support digital equity.
- Building and maintaining relationships with government officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
- Organizing campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about digital inclusion.
External Affairs:
- Managing the organization’s public image and communication strategies.
- Overseeing media relations, including press releases, interviews, and social media presence.
- Developing partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations to further the mission of Tech Goes Home.
My team is responsible for:
- Crafting and executing advocacy strategies to promote digital equity policies.
- Coordinating with external partners and stakeholders to support and amplify Tech Goes Home’s initiatives.
- Handling public relations and ensuring consistent, positive messaging across all platforms.
- Organizing events and campaigns that engage the community and promote the organization’s goals.
What are some ways research and evaluation support advocacy in your work?
Research and evaluation play a critical role in supporting the advocacy work at Tech Goes Home by providing data-driven insights that inform strategic decisions and enhance the effectiveness of our initiatives. Below are some examples of how this process helps:
Identifying Key Data:
- By collecting and analyzing data on digital access, usage patterns, and barriers faced by different communities, we can pinpoint areas with the greatest need.
- This data helps us focus our efforts on specific communities, ensuring that our resources and programs have the maximum impact.
Informing Policy and Advocacy:
- Comprehensive research allows us to present compelling evidence to policymakers, stakeholders, and potential funders.
- Data-driven advocacy strengthens our case for funding and support, highlighting the urgent need for digital equity interventions in targeted communities.
Curriculum Development and Advancement:
- Continuous evaluation of our programs helps us understand their effectiveness and areas for improvement.
- Insights from research guide us in updating our curriculum to include relevant skills and knowledge that address the evolving needs of the marginalized communities we serve.
- By identifying gaps in digital literacy and access, we can tailor our programs to better support participants’ growth and success.
Measuring Impact and Success:
- Regular evaluation helps us measure the impact of our programs on participants’ lives, such as improvements in digital skills, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life.
- These metrics not only demonstrate our success to stakeholders but also help us refine and scale our programs for broader impact.
Through rigorous research and evaluation, Tech Goes Home can strategically target advocacy efforts, continually enhance our curriculum, and ensure that we effectively support the digital empowerment of the marginalized communities we serve.
You supported parts of TGH and METRO’s joint research project last year. Did you learn anything from the process? Have the resulting white paper + theory of change been useful for TGH’s advocacy efforts?
By engaging with and listening to organizations across the country during the research project, I’ve been able to gather fresh ideas and best practices that can be adapted and implemented within TGH. This exchange of knowledge fosters innovation and keeps our programs dynamic and responsive to emerging trends and needs in digital equity.
How the Theory of Change Has Aided in Advocacy Efforts:
- Offered Clarity of Vision:
- Helps in Measuring Progress
- Provides Guidance on Engaging Stakeholders
- Outlines Resource Allocation
Overall, the strategic use of the Theory of Change has been instrumental in refining and advancing TGH’s advocacy efforts, making them more impactful and aligned with the organization’s mission.
What’s something you love about the work you do?
I love the work I get to do with community/community building. Meeting people and hearing their stories is the driving force behind the work I do at TGH. Seeing people succeed makes it all worthwhile.
Thank you again! (Learn more about Tech Goes Home’s advocacy work here.)
