A $50,000 investment from Cox and Phoenix Raceway Charities brought computers, a podcasting booth, a smartboard and more to the Dysart Community Center.

EL MIRAGE, Ariz. — For nearly seven decades, the Dysart Community Center in El Mirage has served working families in the West Valley. Now, an Innovation Lab is giving those families access to technology that many don’t have at home.

Cox and Phoenix Raceway Charities each contributed $25,000 for a combined $50,000 to build out the dedicated technology space.

The lab is stocked with new computers, monitors, desks and chairs, a smartboard, a laser printer and a podcasting booth. Community center officials say the goal is to put the same quality tools in the hands of El Mirage residents that students in wealthier districts already have.

“Many of our families don’t have computers, software, or reliable internet at home,” said Annie Ansell, CEO of the Dysart Community Center. “This lab gives them access to the same high-quality tools found in wealthier districts.”

The Innovation Lab is designed to serve youth, adults and seniors. 

Community center leaders say residents will be able to:

  • Code and learn computer science basics
  • Create digital art
  • Practice English language skills
  • Prepare for diploma or citizenship exams
  • Record podcasts using professional equipment
  • Build digital skills for careers in any industry

The space is also intentionally designed to be welcoming for multi-generational use, with new artwork and flexible seating that includes bar-height tables and rotating stools.

Access to technology has long been uneven across Arizona’s communities. For families in lower-income areas, the lack of computers and reliable internet at home can put students at a disadvantage in school and limit opportunities for adults in the job market.

Cox said the grant reflects its continued commitment to expanding digital access and supporting community spaces that help families learn, connect and thrive.

The Dysart Community Center framed the new lab as an investment in people, not just equipment.

“When a child discovers a talent or a parent learns new skills, the whole family rises,” Ansell said. 

The Dysart Community Center has operated in El Mirage for nearly 70 years, providing services and programming for West Valley families.

Cox is a privately held telecommunications company with operations across the country. Its charitable arm supports digital inclusion and community development initiatives.

Phoenix Raceway Charities distributes grants to nonprofits in Arizona, focusing on education, youth development and community enrichment.

This story is made possible through grant funding from the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund. 

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“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.  

The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:  

  • Mesa  

  • Chandler  

  • Scottsdale  

  • Tempe  

  • Glendale  

  • Surprise  

  • Peoria  

  • Gilbert  

  • El Mirage 

  • Avondale 

  • Litchfield Park 

  • Goodyear 

  • Buckeye 

Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.  

The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas. 

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