Stories - HTI - HUBZone Technology Initiative

Brenda

Imagine having a condition that requires you to have daily support, but COVID prevents you from receiving that support.

Brenda sustained a traumatic brain injury at 23 during a car accident. Now in her 50s, she is recovering from substance misuse and has been clean for 8 years. Given her daily challenges, Brenda is extremely thankful for her HTI Chromebook as it has helped to save her life.

When the pandemic ensued, Brenda couldn't attend her Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in person and didn’t always have access to technology to participate virtually. Her Chromebook has allowed her to participate in NA meetings daily and meet with her sponsor whenever she needs. It is imperative that Brenda has the resources necessary to prevent isolation and increase communication for her Wellness Recovery Plan.

HTI provided Brenda with a Chromebook so she could take the steps she needed, and she is forever grateful. This is how old laptops lead to new opportunities.

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Freedom House Recovery Center

Freedom House Recovery Center (FHRC) is a rehabilitation center rooted in respect and compassion. FHRC has served Chapel Hill, Durham, North Roxboro, and Warrenton since 1974. Its mission is to rehabilitate men, women, and children struggling with mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse by utilizing an approach that focuses on the individual needs of each person they serve. With such a heavy responsibility, especially in the pandemic era, HTI was thrilled to have the opportunity to serve FHRC through Chromebook donations in May 2020.

According to Debra Riggan of FHRC, “These computers are used by the residents at our SA Treatment Center. They have allowed the clients to submit applications online, prepare resumes, check emails, and attend virtual doctor appointments during the pandemic.” One of Ms. Riggan’s points of inspiration is keeping up with technology, and she hopes to pass this passion on to those at FHRC. This inspiration created a notable shift in their clients; they went from being afraid of approaching a computer to learning the ease and convenience of using HTI Chromebooks.

Our work continues to serve those needing access to online services, and HTI could not be prouder of this partnership with FHRC and its lasting impact!

Christian Faith Center Academy

Imagine being a mother of six children and suddenly you are forced into converting your home into a classroom having to facilitate the daily instruction of your children. What makes this scenario even more challenging is that you do not have the finances to purchase the necessary technology for each of your children. This story became the reality of one the parents at Christian Faith Center Academy.

With the most recent wave of COVID-19 in the nation, many households were disrupted as the need for alternative means of educating their children arose. Many districts looked for methods of educating students as schools were lockdown due to the state’s stay-at-home orders. The necessity for remote learning became more prevalent and more than ever, the need for additional parental support became crucial. In every household with school-aged children, additional technology became essential. For the parent at Christian Faith Center Academy with five school-age children, the need for additional chrome books was pertinent.

Like most schools serving low-income populations of the rural communities, there has been a shortage for funding for items in short supply such as computers. According to one of the administrators of Christian Faith Center Academy, “Outside funding is crucial in assisting us in obtaining technology for our students to utilize outside of the classroom especially due to the mandate of remote learning. Once families receive this technology, it creates an environment that both the students and parents can win and the cycle of learning can continue.” Since receiving laptop donations from HTI, families at Christian Faith Center Academy including the family mentioned were able to receive chrome books which were a lifesaver for their homes and learning environment. What would have been a crisis for this mother turned into a success story and became an overall win-win situation for everyone especially for the students. Now the mother who was once without hope has been empowered to assist her children in their remote learning experience.

Christian Faith Center Academy will forever be grateful for organizations such as HTI for reaching out into their communities and assisting schools through technology. The outcomes for their investment into the lives of these students will be far-reaching. Our hope is that these students will achieve successful career goals and also mimic the example set by this organization in giving back to their communities.

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Medical Careers Readiness

HTI donated laptops to Medical Careers Readiness of North Carolina (MCR), a medical training center that serves the focused areas of Vance, Warren, Franklinton, and Granville county regions.

Donated Chromebooks from HTI helped students to continue their studies and preparation to take National Exams. The impact has been both immediate and profound. Since HTI donated the devices students demonstrated a 30 percent score boosting success rates to 97 percent. MCR expressed strong appreciation for the opportunity to partner with HTI and hopes to receive additional Chromebooks to utilize for the students.

MCR provides use of the devices for students that do not have technology resources available to them. As shown in the picture below, needs surpassed current supply.

One student even had to rely on her mobile device to take her exam before the donation.

MCR strives to have devices available to help students achieve their goals and become successful. They expressed sincere gratitude for the work HTI does in the community and the impact that it has on small businesses and students' success.

At HTI, we count these successes as victories in the battle to build community resilience. The counties in which we serve have been designated by the government as socially and economically disadvantaged. According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 28 percent of Vance County residents lived below the federal poverty level and 60 percent higher than other NC counties. Based on the statistics, MCR understood the need to promote self-sufficiency to all people including low- and moderate-income families through specialized training programs that offer career development and sustainability. Thankfully, HTI has been able to help in the past and will continue to support MCR in the future.