MyWay Village, a company committed to the idea that a "connected life" transforms the experience of aging, announced today that it won two federal grants to get low income seniors and people with disabilities in Massachusetts and Illinois across the Digital Divide through its Connected Living program.
Connected Living is a comprehensive technology adoption program that transforms the experience of aging by getting entire senior living communities online. Connected Living combines simplified technology with engaging training content and curriculum delivered by Ambassadors who are expert at getting first-time users online. Seniors gain new computer skills, improved communications with family and friends and better access to valuable information, education and health services. The program also automates staff administrative processes such as messaging and calendaring, thus streamlining community operations and saving money.
"Low income seniors and affordable housing communities deserve equal access to technologies that can deliver better health and economic opportunity," said Sarah Hoit, CEO and Co-Founder of MyWay Village. "Over the last three years, we have connected thousands of seniors with our Ôhigh-tech and high-touchÕ approach which has proven to be a winning combination."
The two ARRA grants announced today for projects in Massachusetts and Illinois will help fund new computer equipment, Internet access and Connected Living training programs to over 4,500 trainees. In Massachusetts, Connected Living programs will be offered at three Boston Housing Authority communities as part of the Boston Sustainable Broadband Adoption program.
"This grant is a big deal for Boston," said U.S. Senator John Kerry. "It will benefit workers hunting for jobs, students, and seniors who might not otherwise have broadband access. I was proud to fight for this funding knowing what a difference it can make."
More than $1.2 million in Illinois Jobs Now! public works funding provided the financial support needed to secure the federal award for Illinois. ÊNine public housing authorities and five affordable housing managers will offer Connected Living programs to residents in 23 rural, suburban and inner-city dwellings and their surrounding communities. Trainees who pass a basic computer proficiency test after initial training will earn a voucher for a highly discounted computer and Internet service. ÊThe programs will collect adoption data, evaluate best practices and disseminate learning to affordable housing managers through a series of conferences and online tools.
"Senior citizens and people with disabilities need adequate, affordable access to the tools of the 21st century," said Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. "This project represents a powerful way to close the digital divide by increasing computer training and high-speed Internet availability in Illinois."
All federal funding was awarded competitively through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).