Bel Air Internet helps bridge digital divide for Homeless Children in Orange County
Bel Air Internet, a Southern California based Internet provider, is donating high-speed Internet service to Orange County Rescue Mission's Village of Hope to help bridge the digital divide.
LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Bel Air Internet, a Southern California based Internet provider, announced that it is donating high-speed Internet service to Orange County Rescue Mission's Village of Hope, a 262-bed transitional housing facility for homeless men, women and children, to help bridge the digital divide.
The over sixty children living in the facility will now be able to utilize the Internet to access their remote-learning school work and engage with virtual tutors provided through School on Wheels, an organization that provides free tutoring and mentoring to children living in shelters.
With all California schools transitioned to distance learning for the rest of the academic year, Internet access is now essential to participating in lessons and completing assignments. Children who do not have Internet, especially those in underserved communities or experiencing homelessness have been left at a disadvantage.
"Orange County Rescue Mission is one of our larger sites with a lot of students and families in need of reliable and high-speed connectivity, especially during this crisis," says Ian Chan, Program Administrator for School on Wheels. "Our team is looking forward to connecting every child with our online tutoring and digital learning and literacy programs to ensure that our students keep up with their learning and don't fall further behind."
Bel Air Internet already donates Internet to several other shelters in Southern California including the School on Wheels digital learning facility on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles. "Our company's mission to Bridge the Digital Divide feels more critical than ever before," said Terry Koosed, founder and President of Bel Air Internet. "The more access we can provide to these children, the more opportunities they have to learn."
"Bel Air Internet and School on Wheels have both been extremely instrumental in ensuring that each and every child at the Village of Hope has the opportunity of a quality education," says Jim Palmer, President of the Orange County Rescue Mission. "We are so thankful for these community partnerships, which allow us to connect kids at the Rescue Mission with the online resources they need to be successful."
About School On Wheels
School on Wheels, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by Agnes Stevens, a retired teacher. Today, hundreds of volunteers work one-on-one with children whose homelessness prevents them from receiving the academic stability and help they desperately need. The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide them with the highest level of education possible. The program spans six counties in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura, as well as a learning center in Skid Row.
PRESS CONTACT School on Wheels, Inc. Sinead Chilton 805.641.1678
About Orange County Rescue Mission
Orange County Rescue Mission's goal is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the Least, the Last, and the Lost of our community through the provision of assistance in the areas of guidance, counseling, education, job training, shelter, food, clothing, health care and independent living communities. The Rescue Mission was formed as a faith-based organization in 1963. Since that time, the Rescue Mission has shared hope through Jesus Christ to those without hope in Orange County. Our programs are designed to give comprehensive services that move homeless men, women, veterans, and children to self-sufficiency. Its programs and dedication to going above and beyond have earned the organization numerous recognitions including Charity Navigator's highest rating of 4 stars.
To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities with Orange County Rescue Mission, please contact (714) 247-4320 or visit http://www.rescuemission.org.
About Bel Air Internet
Bel Air Internet is a boutique Internet and communications firm delivering services to over 70,000 daily users throughout Southern California and Las Vegas. With full control over its private state-of-the-art fiber/wireless network, they provide Internet, Wi-Fi, television and voice services to customers across residential buildings, commercial properties, student housing developments, film studios, hotels and temporary events. Bel Air Internet's philanthropic mission is to help Bridge the Digital Divide and ensure all children have equal access to broadband Internet.
SOURCE Bel Air Internet
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