USI Partners with Facebook to Provide Local Residents with Technology

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, OCT. 18, 2021 | With a grant from Facebook’s Fort Worth Data Center, Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI), will provide 175 Chromebooks this week to help former residents of the Cavile Place neighborhood stay connected

The funds will help make sure that all former Cavile Place households have adequate devices. Nearly 600 individuals will be impacted with virtual and social engagement. The computers will enable users to receive online tutoring, academic support, innovative and program opportunities, and online mentoring. Families will also be able to receive healthcare through telehealth and job training and digital literacy which helps with economic mobility.

The Chromebooks are particularly meaningful to a community whose members have not always had access to wi-fi services or the latest technology. Connectivity disparities became more evident early during the COVID-19 pandemic when many schools switched to online learning and students without home Internet access fell behind.

“We are extremely excited to collaborate with Facebook’s Fort Worth Data Center to support our former Cavile Place residents. This generous contribution will have an immediate positive impact on our families. Our collective goal is to empower families through digital literacy and other technology-based opportunities.” said Simeon Henderson, Senior Project Manager of USI Fort Worth.

“To succeed in our digital world, we all need access to reliable computers, wi-fi and the Internet,” Lachelle Goodrich, Stop Six Choice Neighborhood director said. “Our families will immediately be better off with this incredible gift from Facebook and support from our partners at USI.”

USI is leading the People portion of the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative. The team is responsible for ensuring that former Cavile Place residents are supported throughout the multi-year effort and can return to their community as new residential development becomes available.

The Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative is supported by a $35 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant that the federal agency awarded to Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the city of Fort Worth in April 2020. McCormack Baron Salazar leads the Housing portion of the plan. The City of Fort Worth leads strategies to improve the overall neighborhood. Visit StopSixCNI.org to learn more.

Founded in 1978, USI is a national nonprofit leader with extensive experience in developing and implementing people-centered strategies in communities that are undergoing comprehensive physical revitalization. USI partners in 38 communities in 22 cities/territories while working with community partners to develop economic opportunities, cradle-to-college/career success, high-quality health services, and a range of comprehensive service supports.

USI is an organization of color led by people of color seeking equitable results for children and families www.urbanstrategiesinc.org.

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