HACP’s Digital Literacy Initiatives team rolls out additional programs to help bridge the digital divide in HACP communities & beyond

The HACP Digital Literacy Initiatives team is rolling full steam ahead to continue bridging the digital divide within the communities it serves.

The team is poised to launch several new programs and collaborations in order to get more devices and digital literacy skills training to residents, including a crucial partnership with Computer Reach to get free desktop computers to residents, as well as a laptop loan initiative to benefit program participants and a second CyberBus to deliver workforce development training on the road.

Computer Giveaways Program

The HACP’s partnership with Computer Reach, a nonprofit organization based in Homewood, provides desktop computer bundles at no cost to families in need who apply for the devices. 

“Technology has become indispensable for our daily lives, and we want to make sure no family is left behind,” said Nathan Williams, HACP Digital Literacy Initiatives Manager. “This partnership with Computer Reach enables us to provide families with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.”

In addition to providing desktop computers and digital literacy services at discounted rates, Computer Reach offers Digital Navigator support services by appointment to help individuals understand and make the most of their technology. The company has been operating in Homewood for 25 years.

“We are proud to be working alongside Nathan Williams and his team at HACP,” said Dave Sevick, Executive Director of Computer Reach. “By providing these computers, we are not just helping families access technology, we are empowering them to connect with resources, enhance their skills, and open new doors for personal and professional growth.”

To learn more about how to apply for a free desktop computer bundle, or to inquire about discounted devices and Digital Navigator services, please contact Nathan Williams’ Digital Literacy Team at: nathan.williams@hacp.org or Computer Education Assistant Jordan Owens at: jordan.owens@hacp.org.

For more information about Computer Reach and their mission, please visit: https://www.computerreach.org.

Laptop Loan Program

In March, the team is also planning to roll out a separate device program that loans state-of-the-art laptops to HACP program participants, thanks to a $270,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED).

The 90 devices were awarded through the Digital Connectivity Technology Program (DCTP), which is part of the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 

These laptops are only loaned to residents for a period of time and referred by clinical coordinators and staff in the Resident Self-Sufficiency, Section 3/Resident Employment and Digital Literacy Initiatives departments. 

Laptops will be available to participants in such programs as Virtual Parenting, Resident Employment, the Creative Arts Corner, and Mobile Computer Labs, among others.

W.O.W. CyberBus 2.0

Later this year, the HACP will launch its second W.O.W. (Workforce on Wheels) CyberBus initiative, a mobile one-stop shop for HACP residents seeking to enter the workforce.

Through this initiative, HACP’s Resident Employment Program, in collaboration with community partners, will provide mobile support services to its 2,200 public housing units located throughout the City of Pittsburgh, offering residents access to a variety of employment-related supports.

Services will include access and assistance with job searches; resume building, interview prep, access to telehealth services, and support through the pre-employment process.

“We are proud to continue expanding these important programs for our residents and the communities we serve as we work to bridge the digital divide,” HACP Chief of Community Affairs Michelle Sandidge said. “Increasing residents’ access to these resources is part of our mission to bring a higher quality of life to City of Pittsburgh residents, and be a place to live and a path to launch for their success.”

For more information on HACP’s Digital Literacy Initiatives, please visit: https://hacp.org/programs-services/digital-literacy-initiatives/

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Contact: Michelle Sandidge, Chief Community Affairs Officer, michelle.sandidge@hacp.org or 412-456-5058.