Nowadays, technology cannot be overemphasized; it is very important. It is important in work, studies, and communication. Sadly, many residents, especially low-income residents of Vermont, are not able to own the required devices. The good news is that there are many non-profit organizations across the state whose aim is to reduce this problem by availing affordable or free technological devices to people and families with such needs.
Why Access to Technology is Essential
With technology becoming a requirement in today’s world, there’s a heavier reliance on it than has ever been witnessed before. This can be exemplified by a student who has homework tasks but lacks a laptop or even a job seeker who has been searching for work opportunities without a computer. But this is not an individual example; it is a problem that many people experience in Vermont. For example, a lady migrating out of a less developed region may be a sole parent searching for a job and making it to her zoom meetings might prove difficult as she lacks the means of owning even a personal computer or has internet access.
But these people have begun to receive assistance. Nonprofits in the Vermont area have begun to pay attention to this problem and have tried to address it because they do understand that such access will enhance people employment opportunities, educational achievements and access to other important services.
1. Vermont Department of Public Service (VDPS)VDPS
The Vermont Department of Public Service (VDPS) is an agency of the state which renders citizens of Vermont essential services like communication and broadband in order to uplift their standards of living.
Broadband Expansion and Affordability Programs
VDPS is indeed working hard to make last mile connections in most, if not all, remote and sparsely populated areas of the state. Such extension helps the local community in getting access to online education, online medical services, as well as job opportunities. Also, VDPS supports the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) meant for low-income families, under certain criteria, to obtain the internet at a discounted rate.
Who is Eligible?
An ACP is an eligibility program and therefore must have other appropriate conditions which may arise within a particular income level or be a recipient of similar programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Supplemental security income SSI.
How to Apply:
Eligible American households can send their applications either electronically through the ACP website or through the internet service providers operating within the Vermont location.
2. Goodwill Industries of Northern New England
Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has always had the philosophy of life treatment through employment and training programs that assist in the elevation of living standards. In addition to their thrift shops, they have programs that offer technology assistance to those who are not so fortunate.
Unemployed where to find free and low cost computers
Goodwill collaborates with various institutions to gather surplus computers which are refurbished as well as given to poor families. With the assistance of this scheme, job seekers are bound to have the contacts necessary to look for and secure jobs, prepare and issue resumes and look for further education.
Who can qualify?
Those who seek employment or are enrolled in a Goodwill job training program may qualify for free or very affordable computers.
Application procedure:
In case of any queries on the programs and other stipulations, contact any of your nearest Goodwill centers in Northern New England states.
3. EveryoneOn
EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit which objective is to overcome the issues of economic incapability of low income families by ensuring that they have access to low rate internet plus computers and computer training.
Provision of Affordable Internet and IT Equipment
EveryoneOn works closely with local organizations in Vermont in undertaking projects aimed at providing free and affordably priced high technology resources and products to disadvantaged populations. They help the needy individuals or households without internet service and computing devices by working with internet service providers and manufacturers. They also deliver refurbished devices to students whose families can’t afford to buy new computers.
Who are the eligible applicants?
EveryoneOn’s target audience are people of low income families who have children enrolled in schools that are participating in free or low-cost lunch programs.
How to Apply:
To check if you qualify and the programs in Vermont visit the EverybodyOn site.
4. Vermont Assistive Technology Program (VT AT Program)
The Vermont Assistive Technology Program (VT AT Program) seeks to increase access to technology for individuals with disabilities to enable them to manage their daily activities more efficiently. The core activities and objectives of the program include but are not limited to, provision of assistive devices for the disabled such as those meant for communication or availability of technology for educational purposes only.
Assistive Technology for Education and Employment
VT AT programs are offered free by trained professionals with the aim of providing assistance to individuals at the targeted population. Other services provided under this program include provision of assistive technology devices which may be used in free or subsidized areas for school or work integration
Who is Eligible?
This program is eligible to remit only to the disability target area of people that consider the borders of Vermont and who have a need for assistive devices to enhance their overall functioning.
How to Apply:
To know more about the devices and arrange a consultation, please address your requests to the Vermont Assistive Technology Program.
5. Spectrum Youth and Family Services
Spectrum Youth and Family Services is an organization in the Vermont area that assists youths who are homeless or those at risk of being homeless. One of their major programs works in supporting youths accessing technology to support their education and gain employment readiness.
Information Technology for Homeless and At-Risk Youths
Spectrum has also generalized among other provisions the donation of computers and internet access to the homeless and the at-risk youths at their drop-in center. These resources are vital in enabling young people to do their assignments, look for and apply for employment opportunities and interact with employers.
Who is eligible?
Spectrum’s services are available for Youth aged 12 to 24 years who are homeless or are at risk of being homeless.
How to file an application:
You can reach Spectrum Youth and Family Services if you want to know more about their technological programs and how they offer their services.
6. Computers for Kids Vermont
Computers for Kids Vermont has been set up with a clear mission; and that is to assist needy families who have children with some computers. The project also tries to ensure that every child in the Vermont state has access to the necessary gadgets required in the learning process.
Computers for Students Free of Charge
Computers for Kids collects and refurbishes old laptops and desktop systems to give out to families below the poverty line. When students get free computers, it helps them get and remain interested in their schooling both in school and even the students’ homes.
Who is Eligible?
Free computers shall be issued to school definition households who are having children and are facing problems like poverty where other sources of computers may be out of reach.
How to Apply:
Those looking to get free computers can direct their requests on the website of the organization known as Computers for Kids Vermont.
7. ReSOURCE: A Nonprofit Community Enterprise
ReSOURCE, a non-profit organization domiciled in Vermont, has three main areas of focus; job training, funding for reusable items, and most importantly, environmental issues. In order to achieve this purpose, the institution operates a program that solicits and distributes technology to low-income people.
Technology for low-income families
ReSOURCE’s reuse program encourages interested individuals and organizations to donate a computer or other similar devices which can be either fixed for free or sold at very low prices to the economically disadvantaged people living in Vermont who are unable to purchase such items. It is an approach that seeks to enhance the availability of the necessary tools to families, while at the same time reducing the amount of electronics that are produced.
Who is qualified?
Those people who are low-income earners or people who receive family benefits like those who go through job training programs offered by ReSOURCE qualify to receive aids which are appliances that are very cheap or completely free.
How to apply:
Clients who wish to request for the appliances may do so by visiting ReSOURCE’s website or driving down to any of the several centers spread within the state of Vermont and check what technology is in stock, how to access it and its various terms and conditions.
Explore Step by step organizations in vermont that give away free technology to indivuals
Conclusion
It is worth emphasizing that in our time, technology can be regarded as an intrinsic part of every individual, but for many individuals residing in Vermont, this is still a luxury due to its cost and availability. At the same time, many organizations throughout Vermont deal with supplying poor people or those with low income with free or relatively inexpensive technology. Be it a student looking for schooling help, a job seeker or a disabled person, these programs can assist you in acquiring the necessary tools.
As there are several spoke programs provided throughout the article, they should ascertain their particular program specific eligibility and pick the program which is more likely to be useful to them. With the help of these services one will be able to address the issues of the culture of poverty and acquire such relevant technology that is required for studying, working and living.
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