Distribute Tablets, Internet and Training to Homeless Women and Families at Haven Home

Haven Home was established as a family shelter in 2017 to serve homeless women and their children in Cuyahoga County. The Family Shelter exists to provide temporary emergency shelter until a bed becomes available at a family shelter. The length of time at The Haven Home is dependent upon many factors, including the number of families in shelter, housing availability and placements.

Simply Virtual, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, distributes tablets (that they keep), 2-years of free internet access and training to low-income adults who can't otherwise afford or learn the technology.  With these tablets, the women and their families can research and access social services, job opportunities and connect with other resources that can be beneficial to their situation.  Additionally, the tablets allow the children to access the virtual learning offered as a result of the pandemic.

We see every day the difference thest connections make in the lives of people that are experiencing the virtual world for the first time.  Clients start with basic applications and within weeks, with proper, one-on-one training, they're access online services, telehealth and entertaining content.

Your contribution will make a difference in the lives of these families.

This project will fund the distribution of tablets.  Social Workers at Haven Home will schedule families to receive their devices, and a Simply Virtual Navigator will meet with them to set up the tablet.  Depending on the schedule, client set ups will start the Monday after the Friday end date of the campaign, and set up will continue daily until all 20 tablets have been distributed.  Then on-going, one-on-one training will be scheduled to increase the families' online proficiency.  Finally, any technical issues or support is supported by a Help Desk that can remote into the tablet to make necessary adjustments.

These women bring their families of young children to Haven House with no where else to go.  They're often vistims of domestic abuse seeking refuge for themselves and their children.   Connecting them to online resources provides another layer of hope for a better life.  And Simply Virtual's Navigators use empathy, understanding and humor to sensitively introduce their new device and connection.