The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT) partnered with City Councilmember Mike Driscoll to provide free laptops to nearly 50 Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (CCoP) clients June 21 at St. Matthew’s Parish in the Mayfair section of Northeast Philadelphia.
The pop-up event was part of OIT’s newly launched “Power Up Tour”, a citywide initiative to deliver 500 free laptops to Philadelphia residents in need.
Recipients were chosen from clients that receive CCoP services in Northeast Philadelphia including the Northeast Family Service Center (NESFC), Northeast and Mayfair Out-of-School Time programs, Catholic Community Services, and Casa del Carmen Family Service Center.
Administrator at NESFC Beth Wood said, “All participants were so very grateful for this opportunity. Receiving the laptops will assist our clients with many opportunities to connect with resources such as job opportunities, education, research, housing, and much more.”
In addition to receiving a free device, OIT hosted a workshop on basic computer skills and provided information on free and low-cost internet programs.
Wood added that follow-up digital classes will be hosted at NEFSC for clients who need further computer training.
NEFSC is the first point of contact for individuals, families, and parishes seeking assistance in Northeast Philadelphia. The center offers comprehensive services such as counseling, mentoring, education assistance, adoption counseling, and enrollment in benefit programs, as well as providing prenatal and parenting support groups. Learn more here.
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