Empowering Southeast Raleigh: a Rotary–Kramden partnership for digital equity.
Bridging the divide for the Southeast Raleigh Promise community, one connection at a time.
Without a way online, everyday life gets harder.
Two organizations already doing this work — and a club ready to help.
The Kramden Institute
Mission: provide the technology, tools and training required to bridge the digital divide.
Proven since 2003: 65,000+ computers awarded and 16,000+ individuals trained.
Professional rigor: standardized hardware specs and secure data-wiping protocols on every donated corporate machine they refurbish.
Southeast Raleigh Promise
SER Promise coordinates revitalization along the Rock Quarry Road corridor. Their Beacon Site — a 32-acre hub at 1436 Rock Quarry Rd with affordable housing, a YMCA and an elementary school — is the proposed home for a tech access center.
It aligns directly with two of Rotary’s own pillars: basic education & literacy, and economic development.
Get tech. Learn tech. Then pass it on.
“Get Tech”
Through Kramden’s Tech Equipment Partners program: refurbished i5 desktops and laptops with 8GB RAM and 128GB+ SSDs, backed by a 90-day warranty. Community pricing is $40 for desktops and $70 for laptops, with eligible adults nominated for individual home units.
“Learn Tech”
The Northstar Digital Literacy framework covers computer basics, office productivity, internet safety and social media, leading to resume-ready certificates. Finish the training and “Earn a Computer” sends a free refurbished system home with you.
Train the Trainer
Kramden trains local volunteers as instructors, who then train their neighbors. In Forsyth County, 13 trained instructors reached 1,260 residents in a single year. Our members can become Digital Ambassadors, giving one-on-one support right at the Beacon Site.
Three steps from idea to open doors.
Schedule a facility tour
Club leadership visits Kramden’s Durham facility to see the operation firsthand.
Formalize the partnership
Sign a Memorandum of Understanding to become a Kramden Partner Agency.
Allocate district grant funds
Purchase initial lab equipment and launch the first Train-the-Trainer cohort.
This is bigger than our small club. It needs to be for us, by us.
Become a Digital Ambassador, help fund the first lab equipment, introduce us to a partner organization, or help us write the grant. Start with a conversation.