Closing the Digital Divide: QTS Partners with The Quilt Corporation for Community Empowerment
QTS is purpose-driven. Aside from providing top-tier customer service, we consider servant leadership fundamental to improving the communities where we operate. In 2023, we were excited to partner with The Quilt Corporation, an Illinois nonprofit connecting economically disadvantaged Chicago Area residents to education, critical services, and career training opportunities. QTS and Quilt have been working together on the Chicago Area Broadband Initiative (CABI), focused on providing access to and teaching residents how to use the internet as a positive, empowerment tool.
Dwayne Douglas, Quilt CEO, says that his original vision for this project started with his elder aunt, who did not understand how accessibility to the internet could help improve her life. That’s where Quilt’s education component comes into play. “We illustrate how connectivity can engage and empower,” said Douglas. “We aren’t teaching people just how to consume on their devices. We are equipping individuals, families and communities with the tools to expand access to opportunities, to find jobs and services that empower.
With a campus located in Chicago, QTS had a unique ability to meet the need presented to QTS’ Connectivity team. When Douglas requested support to bring affordable broadband internet connectivity to communities and multi-family dwelling units in North Lawndale, Woodlawn and South Shore in Chicago, QTS was one of four partners that leaned in.
“We provided Quilt a rack with power and network hardware to support the project getting off the ground,” said Toby Hallmer, director of facilities operations at QTS. “To run an interconnected network, you need a carrier neutral data center, and we’re proud to be the first data center in the area to support this admirable project. We’re one piece of the infrastructure needed to connect residents to the larger world and resources.”
While QTS doesn’t operate the network Quilt is building, our data center offers a connectivity ecosystem to enable partners to extend connectivity to residences. Douglas says this is the first step for CABI to support over 45,000 households across ten communities within the next five years: “Broadband is the foundation for our programs to evolve – access is the first step to closing the digital divide.”
“QTS’ work in this project is illustrative of our focus on positive community transformation through charitable giving and partnership,” said David Murray, senior vice president of community impact at QTS. “Working on the CABI project underpins our commitment to improving community infrastructure in our areas of operation. QTS is devoted to giving our time, talent and treasure to help our QTS communities thrive.”
Quilt continues to be active in community engagement and a champion of digital equity. In 2023, Quilt provided 450 internet-connectable devices to partner communities and has engaged over 1500 residents in the Affordable Broadband and Digital Literacy programs. “QTS is genuinely committed to help,” said Douglas. “You’ve done everything you promised to do, and that has made an impact. As we continue our journey, we invite partners who share a passion for community transformation to join us. The Quilt Corporation is more than an organization; it's a movement. Your support can contribute to building a future where every individual has the tools they need to thrive.”
To learn more about QUILT and their transformative work, visit www.quiltnfp.com or reach out directly to Dwayne Douglas at dwayne.douglas@quiltnfp.org
