Computer donation helps Veterans bridge the digital divide
Hundreds of Veterans in need received free laptop computers through coordination with the Milwaukee VA’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program Tuesday, allowing them to stay connected in an increasingly digital world.
“It means a lot,” said Billy Nash, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who resides at the Milwaukee Soldiers Home. “I’ve always been interested. There are no more typewriters and stuff like that.”
The devices directly benefit low-income veterans, making it easier for them to look for work and housing, and to communicate in a digital environment.
Nash said the computer will help him find resources available to him as a Veteran.
Milwaukee VA’s HUD-VASH care coordinators helped inform Veterans who could benefit from having a computer about the opportunity to receive one.
“We see the Veterans, most of them on a monthly basis, so we know their needs. We work with them,” said Alfonso Dennis, a HUD-VASH care coordinator. “Most of the Veterans on my team I knew had some knowledge of computers, but not the affordability to have one.”
Dennis said many of the Veterans would have to come into the office at the Milwaukee VA in order to recertify in the program, a process that is done online.
“This (donation) would even allow us to spend more time with other Veterans who don’t know how to use computers,” Dennis said. He added that the HUD-VASH program hopes to set up Wi-Fi within the VA and host computer literacy classes for Veterans.
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Anthony Crawford also received a computer after the laptop he previously had for 15 years died. He said that trying to use a cellphone to write and send messages is hard because the screen is too small. He appreciated the support provided to him through the HUD-VASH program.
“Mr. Dennis has been more than a help to me,” Crawford said. “I’ve had some struggles, and he’s helped me through them. He’s been not only my adviser, but a friend.”
The computers were distributed by Digital Bridge, a nonprofit that recycles and refurbishes computers to help bridge the digital divide and provide technology to communities in need.
“I think you guys are one of the most deserving people on the planet for these kinds of devices and services,” said Greg Hennigs, the lead account manager with Digital Bridge. “We’re extremely excited to be able to do this and are hoping that this is just the first of many of these kinds of events that we’re able to do for the Veteran community.”
Digital Bridge was able to provide computers to Veterans with the donation of laptops from Associated Bank, and a $25,000 digital education grant received from Charter Communications.
“It's wonderful to see how local organizations can really come together and really be able to support our Veterans in our community particularly as it relates to access to technology so they can remain connected as well as competitive in our digital economy,” said David Crowley, the Milwaukee County Executive. “We are home of over 42,000 Veterans right here within Milwaukee County. These are our neighbors; these are our friends; these are our family members; they are our loved ones, and we must do everything that we can to support them.”