Wellpoint Care Network Partners with UScellular to Offer Free Internet Access to Families

Wellpoint Care Network is proud to be the recipient of a major donation from UScellular that will help us advance our mission of helping children and families thrive.

Through their After School Access Project, our organization has received and will distribute 500 wireless hotspots with two years of service valued at $563,000.

“Because of all the work that we do in schools and all of the families that we work with that struggle with having access to internet services, this was a great opportunity,” said Andrew Bonner, Community Engagement Coordinator at Wellpoint Care Network.

A hotspot is a wireless access point that lets you connect phones, tablets, computers and other devices to the internet wherever you are.

“The purpose is to help children when they’re not able to attend school so that they have a virtual option and aren’t missing out,” added Bonner. “It can also help when children get home from school and need to complete homework assignments that require online research.”

The hot spots are filtered, so parents or caregivers don’t have to worry about children accessing inappropriate sites.

“Everything we do nowadays is connected to the internet, so the importance of having access to internet service can help break a lot of barriers down,” said Bonner.

The device and two years of service are completely free to the user.

“That’s approximately $100 a month that can go towards getting bread and bologna or go towards getting baby formula versus this essential need,” said Bonner. “I think it’s going to make a major impact in families’ lives.”

To break the cycles of poverty, violence and racial inequities, people need equitable access to safe housing, food security, healthcare, education and employment. Wellpoint Care supports families along this journey, and helps them find compassion, connection and opportunities to heal.

“This service is going to be something that we can offer to students already enrolled in our school-based mental health programs,” said Bonner. “We’ll also be partnering with our Supervised Independent Living (SIL) program, a service that helps youth secure their own residence and learn how to live independently before exiting care. Supplying them with those hotspots will help them continue their education, have the ability to job hunt, etc.”

These hotspots may also be offered at events hosted by Wellpoint Care Network that are open to the community depending on availability.