Envolve and HATT partner to donate tablets and school supplies to students
Although COVID-19 has dramatically changed the face of education for so many families, several of Texarkana’s affordable apartment communities are doing all they can to ensure a smooth transition into online learning.
Envolve Client Services Group, one of the country’s largest affordable multifamily property managers, partnered with The Housing Authority of Texarkana, Texas (HATT) on 8/26 to provide over 200 internet-enabled devices—free of charge—to K-12 students living at Pecan Ridge, Hampton Homes, Rosehill Ridge, Sandalwood Apartments, TPFC Homes, Woodbridge Apartments, Renaissance Plaza, and Oaks at Rosehill Ridge. T-Mobile was chosen as the service provider under their ConnectHomeUSA plan, which is a program that strives to bridge the digital divide for families who would otherwise have difficulty gaining at-home internet access.
“The best part for me was being able to tell the residents that these tablets are gifts that do not have to be returned,” said Jennifer Pope, a Regional Manager at Envolve.
A wireless-enabled tablet with hotspot capabilities was provided to all qualified households. These tablets allow for up to 5 devices to connect to the internet if someone in the household already has a computer, tablet, or laptop.
“When our school-aged residents possess the opportunity to have uninterrupted access to the world through the internet, it evens the academic playing field and their lives will quickly and continuously change for the better,” said Antonio D. Williams, CEO/Executive Director of HATT.
The Envolve team also handed out free pencil pouches filled with school supplies and sets of adjustable earbuds to help students feel prepared for the 2020-2021 school year.
“Each head of household was given a timeslot to pick up his or her gifts,” said Sharon Carpenter, SVP of Operations at Envolve. “Because the event was organized this way, we were able to hand everything out quickly and prevent anyone from having to wait in line.”