ConnectHome to Expand to More Than 100 Communities
Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 25, 2017 -- Beginning this summer, ConnectHome will expand to more than 100 communities, with the goal of connecting 350,000 people living in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted housing by 2020. EveryoneOn, the current nonprofit lead for HUD’s successful ConnectHome pilot which was created to bridge the digital divide in 28 pilot communities, will lead this expansion effort. ConnectHome will be rebranded as “ConnectHome Nation” to capture its new national scope.
“We are excited about this opportunity to expand the successful work initiated by HUD and already underway in communities across the United States. In a little over a year, the ConnectHome pilot communities have successfully worked to connect thousands of low-income people to the life-changing power that the internet brings,” said Chike Aguh, EveryoneOn’s chief executive officer. “As we move forward with this expansion, we are hopeful that even more people in communities across the country will be able to experience social and economic opportunities provided by online access. For the new communities joining ConnectHome Nation, we are excited to welcome you and thank you for your commitment to digital inclusion for all.”
ConnectHome Nation expects to welcome more than 100 communities into ConnectHome Nation. These communities will be diverse in both size and geography.
In addition, the current ConnectHome pilot communities will have the opportunity to serve as models and mentors for communities participating in ConnectHome Nation. All communities, both pilot and new, will be involved in a community of practice, which will include mentorship meetings and a yearly ConnectHome Nation summit.
As part of this expansion, new communities will have access to the following:
Access to stakeholder commitments;
Continued assistance with stakeholder negotiation by EveryoneOn as communities seek to add new stakeholders to the initiative;
Monthly webinars with EveryoneOn for help with local efforts and best practices;
Access to a mentorship community to help guide progress; and,
Access to the Digital ConnectHome Platform, which will include resources and collateral created for ConnectHome and would serve as a space for communities to connect, ask questions, and collect data.
ConnectHome Nation will create a governing board composed of leaders from both the public and private sectors who are committed to the ConnectHome initiative and its mission.
The launch in the new communities is tentatively scheduled for July 2017. Communities can apply to be part of ConnectHome Nation on the program’s website, starting on July 17, 2017. To learn more, visit http://everyoneon.org/connecthome-nation.
ConnectHome History and pilot:
This expansion comes on the heels of the very successful ConnectHome pilot, which launched in July 2015. Highlights include:
More than 20,000 people were connected to at-home internet service
More than 7,000 devices were deployed to families in need
More than 200 digital literacy trainings were held, ranging from basic computer readiness to coding/maker instruction
In the almost total absence of federal funds, ConnectHome was able to assemble:
More than 30 stakeholders from internet service providers to nonprofits
More than $70 million of private sector and philanthropic commitments in the form of cash and in-kind donations
More than 20 local convenings held in communities with their local stakeholders
More than 100 press mentions since 2015
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About EveryoneOn
EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit that creates social and economic opportunity by connecting everyone to the internet. Since 2012, EveryoneOn has connected more than 500,000 people in the United States, with the goal of connecting one million people by 2020. For more information, visit http://www.everyoneon.org
Sarah Graham, EveryoneOn, http://www.everyoneon.org, +1 (979) 877-4713, [email protected]
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