Skip to content

Sustain, Empower, Evolve: Building a Brighter Digital Future

Sustain, Empower, Evolve: Building a Brighter Digital Future

Digital Inclusion Week | October 4–10, 2026

Digital Inclusion Week celebrates the progress being made toward digital equity and highlights the vital work helping individuals access technology, build practical skills, and fully participate in an increasingly digital world. Goodwill Columbus is proud to support these efforts by providing free community-based training, workforce preparation, and impactful partnerships across Central Ohio.

What’s Happening in 2026

Digital Skills Hub Cohort at OhioMeansJobs Franklin County

  • Date & Time: October 5–8 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Details: A four-day afternoon cohort designed to help participants build foundational digital skills for everyday life and employment. Eligible participants who complete the course will receive a free large-screen device.

Central Ohio Digital Inclusion Summit

  • Date & Time: October 7 | 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Columbus State Community College (Center for Workforce Development)
  • Details: Hosted by Smart Columbus, this summit explores AI-driven changes shaping education, the workforce, and healthcare.

Digital Skills Lunch and Learn

  • Date & Time: Friday, October 9 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Location: Goodwill Columbus Brice Road Job Training Center
  • Details: Attendees will rotate through three 45-minute practical workshops: Identifying Spam and Phishing, Utilizing Google Gemini, and Efficient Use of Cloud Drives. Lunch will be provided! Hands-on device troubleshooting will also be available from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Training Room 1.
  • Register here.

Digital Skills for Life in the Community

  • Date & Time: Offered throughout Digital Inclusion Week and year-round
  • Details: Free, small-group workshops held at local Columbus Metropolitan Library branches and community sites. Topics cover computers, smartphones, Google applications, telehealth, community resources, privacy, and online safety.
  • View the Digital Skills for Life calendar here.

The Impact of Digital Inclusion

Digital literacy plays a crucial role in securing employment, accessing healthcare, managing transportation and finances, and maintaining daily independence. Goodwill Columbus offers individualized, hands-on learning in familiar, accessible spaces throughout our community.

In 2025 alone, Goodwill Columbus delivered 816 workshops and cohorts, serving 2,116 attendees through our community-based digital skills model.

Did You Know?

  • Supporting Returning Citizens: Goodwill Columbus partners with Alvis 360 to provide digital upskilling training for returning citizens. The next cohort starts October 19, 2026, helping participants build practical technology skills, confidence, and job readiness.
  • Empowering Residents in Supportive Housing: Through a partnership with National Church Residences, Goodwill Columbus brings digital skills training directly to residents in permanent supportive housing. Delivering education right where residents live removes transportation barriers and provides personalized support toward their goals.

Year-Round Resources

Looking to get involved or build your skills? Explore our ongoing community programs:

Together, we can sustain progress, empower learners, and evolve toward a brighter digital future for all of Central Ohio!

About Goodwill Columbus
Goodwill Columbus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served the Central Ohio community for nearly 85 years. With more than 1,000 employees, Goodwill Columbus is one of the region’s largest job providers, employing individuals with diverse backgrounds. Goodwill Columbus has 12 retail stores, a last-chance outlet, an ecommerce facility, 8 attended donation centers, 5 I/DD service locations, and free job training services at The South Front Street Job Training Center, The Jerry Hammond Center, The Reeb Center, and 14 Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. The organization is a proud member of Goodwill Industries International, a network of over 150 community-based organizations throughout the United States and Canada that sell donated goods to create job opportunities and training in local communities.