WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
A future where every household has the tools and opportunity to thrive in the digital age.
THREAD (Terrestrial Hybrid Research, Edge and Distribution) bridges the gap between cutting-edge technological research and real-world community infrastructure.
Most broadband research happens in controlled lab environments. THREAD puts it in the real world, embedding live network nodes inside civic sites across Chicago's South Side.
That means the research reflects actual conditions, not simulations. And it means the people doing the research are community members, not just credentialed researchers from elsewhere.
Relationship-First
We believe lasting change begins with trust. Our ambassadors build genuine relationships with the residents they serve.
Community Listening
Every program starts with listening. We hear directly from residents about their challenges, hopes, and priorities.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
CABI ambassadors come from the communities they serve, bringing cultural understanding and authentic connection.
CORE APPROACH
Relationship-First
Community Listening
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
WHERE WE WORK
Supporting Chicago's most disconnected neighborhoods
We started in communities with the lowest broadband adoption rates in the city. Every deployment decision is driven by need, not convenience.
Austin
North Lawndale
Englewood
South Shore
Maywood
Woodlawn
West Garfield Park
East Garfield Park
Roseland
Auburn Gresham
Greater Grand Crossing
Riverdale
South Deering
Burnside
HOW IT WORKS
One program, many moving parts.
No single organization can close the digital divide alone. This program is built on the idea that it takes a full ecosystem working together.
Fiber Providers
Building and maintaining the physical infrastructure that makes broadband access possible at scale.
Nonprofits
Connecting residents to digital literacy programs and navigating enrollment for affordable plans.
Utilities
Leveraging existing infrastructure and right-of-way access to accelerate deployment timelines.
Community Organizations
Building the trust and on-the-ground presence that infrastructure partners can't establish alone.
Internet Service Providers
Delivering affordable, reliable service to households that the market has historically underserved.
Housing Authorities
Enabling access inside public housing developments and coordinating resident outreach at scale.
Data Centers
Providing compute infrastructure, technical expertise, and capacity for the network backbone.
Product Manufacturers
Supplying affordable devices and equipment that allow residents to actually use the connections being built.
WORKFORCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Connecting people to internet access and to jobs.
Two training pathways. Both lead to certifications and employment in fields that are actively hiring.
Pathway 01
Cisco Networking Academy
Industry-recognized certifications that open doors to IT careers and better-paying roles in network administration and infrastructure.
Cisco-certified curriculum taught by trained instructors at community partner sites
Industry-recognized certification on completion, accepted by employers nationally
Job placement support through QUILT's existing employer relationships
No prior tech experience required to enroll
Pathway 02
DOL Apprenticeship Programs
Hands-on training in Fiber Splicing and Cybersecurity, backed by the Department of Labor. Earn while you learn.
Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship framework with formal wage structure
Fiber splicing and cybersecurity tracks, both in active demand across Chicago employers
On-the-job training embedded inside real infrastructure projects, not simulations
Paid from day one, with wage increases tied to skill milestones
WHO WE WORK WITH
Partners who've committed to this work.
These organizations aren't just listed on a deck. They're active participants in deployment, training, and community engagement.
Preservation of Affordable Housing
Housing Authority Partner
Sinai Chicago
Health & Community Partner
Neighborhood Network Alliance
Digital Access Partner
University of Chicago
Research & Academic Partner
City of Chicago
Municipal Partner
PROJECT TIMELINE
Starting with neighborhoods. Scaling to the county.
PHASE 01
Pilot Communities
Active deployments in Austin, North Lawndale, Englewood, and South Shore. Focus on proving the model and reaching households that have been passed over.
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2,000 households per pilot area
PHASE 02
Chicago Expansion
Building on pilot outcomes to expand across Chicago's most disconnected neighborhoods. Scaling the workforce training programs alongside infrastructure deployment.
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Tens of thousands of households
PHASE 03
Pilot Communities
Full build-out across Chicago and Cook County, reaching every community where affordable broadband access is still out of reach.
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400,000+ homes
Get Program Updates
New training cohorts, events, and research — sent when it's relevant.
Digital access, workforce training, and community connectivity, South Side Chicago since 2014.
GET INVOLVED
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