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Students Prepare to Become Community Technology Leaders

IDRA is expanding its Digital Ambassadors program to San Antonio in partnership with Empower House and with support from GFiber. High school students will develop technology, research and leadership skills before providing hands-on technology training to adults in their communities.

(San Antonio • August 26, 2026) San Antonio students are becoming technology trainers for adults in underserved neighborhoods. In partnership with Empower House and with support from GFiber, IDRA is expanding the IDRA Digital Ambassadors program to San Antonio.

IDRA Digital Ambassadors is a six-month out-of-school initiative that develops high school students as digital leaders who provide hands-on technology training to adults in their communities. The program turns Internet availability into meaningful access, adoption and community capacity.

“The IDRA Digital Ambassadors program builds youth power and digital access as a pipeline to long-term civic leadership, workforce opportunity, economic strength and community well-being,” said IDRA President and CEO Celina Moreno.

“In today’s world, digital access and skills are essential,” said Empower House Executive Director Jenny Castro. “We are thrilled to partner in this work, empowering youth with skills and confidence to be trusted guides into the digital world, both for their peers and their elders.”

The ability to harness technology today is critical for economic mobility and meaningful participation in society. But disparities in technology access and education, particularly in underserved communities, directly affect the ability to access education, jobs, healthcare and even help in an emergency.

IDRA Digital Ambassadors are building a future where our neighborhoods are recognized not for scarcity but for abundance, where youth are valued as leaders and community members are equipped with the technology skills to thrive.

“Access to technology is essential but knowing how to use tech to improve your life and connect with resources is what truly opens doors to education, jobs and other opportunities to thrive,” John-Michael Cortez, Government & Community Affairs at GFiber, said. “The IDRA Digital Ambassadors program gives young people the opportunity to become technology leaders in their communities, helping their neighbors build skills and confidence along the way. GFiber is proud to support this work and expand digital opportunity in San Antonio.”

The program unfolds across three phases: research, mastery and service. Students learn research skills to identify technology needs in their community. After a rigorous learning journey to master key skills, the teens will provide vital hands-on technological training to community members.

This month, IDRA also welcomed a new cohort of students in the Texas Rio Grande Valley in partnership with ARISE Adelante and with the generous support of Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation and Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

IDRA media contact: Thomas Marshall III, M.Ed., thomas.marshall@idra.org

Learn More about the IDRA Digital Ambassadors Program

Program webpage

Interview with previous IDRA Digital Ambassadors

About the Partners

Empower House (formerly Martinez Street Women’s Center) was founded in 1999 with a mission to improve reproductive health services and access for women – primarily brown and Black women – on the East Side of San Antonio. Since then, the nonprofit has expanded to provide community health services and education, advocacy opportunities, and youth programming – all through the lens of restorative justice.

IDRA is a national independent, non-profit organization founded in 1973 and based in San Antonio. IDRA’s mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college. IDRA strengthens and transforms public education by leading policy and legal analyses and advocacy; dynamic teacher training and principal coaching; useful research, evaluation and frameworks for action; and innovative student, family and community engagement.

GFiber delivers fast, reliable, fairly-priced and open fiber Internet service, prioritizing customer service and speed. GFiber started in 2010 as a Google-driven experiment to catalyze the gigabit internet ecosystem and has since pioneered the gigabit and multigig Internet future. For more than a decade, GFiber has maintained its $70/1 Gig base Internet plan without any rate increases, and remains committed to bringing the best Internet experience to customers in 19 states with plans to expand. GFiber is America’s most-decorated Internet, winning the JD Power award for Customer Satisfaction in Home Wired Internet in the South Region for the third year in a row in 2025, along with PC Mag Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Overall and Fiber ISP, Best Fiber Internet Provider by Forbes and Carrier of the Year from Fierce Networks, in addition to top recognitions HighSpeedInternet.com, CNET, and many more. You can find more information, check availability in your area and compare plans at gfiber.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About IDRA Digital Ambassadors

What is the IDRA Digital Ambassadors program?
IDRA Digital Ambassadors is a six-month out-of-school initiative that develops high school students as digital leaders. Students learn research and technology skills and then provide hands-on technology training to adults in their communities.

What is IDRA Digital Ambassadors doing in San Antonio?
IDRA is expanding the Digital Ambassadors program to San Antonio with a cohort of high school students. The San Antonio program is offered in partnership with Empower House and with support from GFiber.

How do IDRA Digital Ambassadors help their communities?
Students research technology needs in their communities, master key digital skills and provide hands-on training to community members. The program is designed to help turn Internet availability into meaningful access, adoption and community capacity.

Who supports the IDRA Digital Ambassadors program in San Antonio?
The San Antonio expansion is a partnership between IDRA and Empower House with support from GFiber.