During a recent visit to the Rio Grande Valley, we spoke with Pharr Memorial Library director, Adolfo Garcia, who shared some news with us on digital literacy efforts in Pharr. The library will be on the front lines of the Pharr Connect Digital Literacy Program. The program was made possible by a $3.2 million grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas (MHM).

We interviewed Lina Garcia, Curriculum Coordinator, and Erick Garza, Digital Navigator, from the City of Pharr Innovation & Technology Department. They will be part of the team running the program which will continue through 2026.

The classes will be held at Pharr Memorial Library in a large room on the second floor. “Not only is the library centrally located for Pharr residents, but they also have the staff to provide one-on-one training to supplement what we are offering,” Lina said.

The Pharr Connect Digital Literacy Program, part of the broader Pharr Connect initiative, will fund critical programs and resources, including:

• Digital Literacy Training Program: Designed to build residents’ digital skills and provide access to essential resources like telehealth and public services.
• Laptop Distribution: The program will distribute 600 laptops in 2024, 1,000 laptops in 2025, and 1,000 laptops in 2026 to participants who complete the digital literacy training.
• Student Internships & Staff Expansion: The grant will fund new positions and internships to ensure the success and sustainability of the program.
• Cyberbullying Prevention and Mental Health Support: Through a partnership with Calix, the program will provide up to 1,000 subscriptions to Bark, a cyberbullying and mental health software designed to protect minors.

“I hope this program gives the residents of our city confidence with technology, and also confidence that we at the City of Pharr have their best interests in mind and are continuously working to make their lives better.” – Erick Garza, Digital Navigator

Registration for digital literacy training is now open to Pharr residents. Those who complete the training will not only gain essential skills but will also receive a new laptop upon graduation. Classes will be offered in beginner and intermediate levels in both English and Spanish. Each class is expected to accommodate about 20 students at a time. The courses are expected to last 4 to 7 weeks depending on skill level. In addition to digital literacy, the city plans to collaborate with external partners to offer training in areas like public health, financial literacy, higher education opportunities, and workforce development.

“It’s not just about learning to use a computer but also about teaching learners how to find credible sources of information and learning more about what city resources are available, including the library, and how to use them to enhance their lives,” Lina added.

Through Pharr Connect, the city has now deployed their fiber to the home network to all residential areas. To make the broadband even more accessible, fiber plans start at $25 with 500 Mbps upload and download speeds. As of February 2025, 11,613 homes, which is 50% of the city rooftops, are online with internet services.

You can read the full press release here. For more information about the Pharr Connect Digital Literacy Program, please call (956) 402-2000.