The WeLoveU Foundation presented 120 devices to Hartford Public Schools to help bridge the digital divide on Friday, December 4, 2020. The socially-distanced ceremony was streaming live from Burr Mall, outside Hartford’s City Hall.
How It All Started
Remote learning has become the new normal since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States in March 2020. Since then, many students in Connecticut — the state which has one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation — have fallen even more behind their peers.
After hearing of these challenges, WeLoveU Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah proceeded to launch a new WeLoveU initiative: Closing the Homework Gap: Bridging the Digital Divide for Students and Families. The program supports students with remote learning by donating necessary equipment such as computers and webcams.
“The Chairwoman has always been a strong advocate of education,” said WeLoveU’s Vice President of Community Engagement, John Casas. “As a mother loves her children, mothers’ concerns are always about the education of their children. That’s why this event is so near and dear to our hearts,” he said at the delivery.
Launching the Program in Connecticut
In September, WeLoveU launched the campaign in Connecticut by hosting a webinar. The webinar featured guest speakers Senator Richard Blumenthal and Hartford Public Schools Chief Engagement and Partnerships Officer Nuchette Black-Burke, M.Ed. Senator Blumenthal from the State of Connecticut spoke about the digital divide at the state and national level. Meanwhile, the Hartford Public Schools representative detailed the challenges students and educators will face this school year amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
At the delivery, Honorable Board Member of the WeLoveU Foundation Carmela Liza said, “That discussion [webinar] helped me — and the 500 participants — come to terms with the reality families are facing during this pandemic.”
Closing the Homework Gap Donation Event in Hartford
Six weeks later, WeLoveU delivered its promise by presenting Hartford Public Schools with desktops, Chromebooks and webcams. Hartford Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez and Ms. Nuchette Black-Burke received the devices on behalf of Hartford Public Schools. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a supporter and partner of WeLoveU, also attended the event.
Hartford Public Schools leadership expressed their thanks to the Foundation in supporting the district during this challenging time. “Hartford Public Schools is deeply grateful for the partnership with the WeLoveU Foundation and Senator Blumenthal,” said Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez. “Their commitment supports our goal of providing equity and access to all students.”
“This event was so inspiring and exciting because it will help so many young people bridge the homework gap,” stated Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut. “This gap is rapidly becoming a kind of chasm that undermines education for countless young people in Hartford and Connecticut and around the country. What the WeLoveU Foundation is doing today is really leadership by example. More and more private organizations hopefully will follow the WeLoveU Foundation and provide these kinds of essential devices for young people. It is really a wonderful event to mark another step in trying to bridge the homework gap.”
In addition to Chromebooks and computers, webcams donated will be used by teachers to deliver online instruction. The donations support the goal to provide one-to-one district device access to all students so they can access online learning.
Following the event, WeLoveU volunteers delivered the devices to Bulkeley High School. This is the third school district to benefit from the Closing the Homework Gap program. Recently, WeLoveU donated devices in New Jersey to school districts in Irvington and Newark.
0 thoughts on “WeLoveU Donates 120 Devices to Hartford Public Schools to Support Remote Learning”
This is absolutely phenomenal. I love to see it. The chairwoman has a true passion for helping those in need.
I joined this webinar and was so happy to see the WeLoveU Foundation and local leaders coming together to work on improving the education system for those in need. Lacking the technology for learning can be very crucial, even more so now considering the turn students have to take in order to continue their studies. Great job, WeLoveU Foundation, Senator Blumenthal, Superintendent Leslie, and all the volunteers whom made this possible!
These are difficult times, especially for the children. Every little bit counts and helps in these times. Now many more children can be educated virtually, thanks to the chairwoman and the members of the WeLoveU Foundation!
In this modern age, computers 🖥 are a necessity. It is very beautiful to see how the WeLoveU Foundation is bridging the homework gap by donating Chromebooks and computers 🖥 to the children in need. Thank you for caring ❤ for others.
What tremendous work you are doing! As a resident of Connecticut I know just how much this means to the families who will be receiving this support. Truly you can feel the love from all those who spoke and the passion to help students in need. The Chairwoman’s efforts to be there for others during this pandemic is so amazing. Thank you!!
This was a really exciting event to watch! The speakers were very thoughtful and I really understood the message of WeLoveU aligned with the needs of the Hartford School District. I hope to see follow up with how the students are using their new devices. Thank you WeLoveU and all the supporters.
It’s truly amazing to see an organization continuing to work so hard even in the midst of the pandemic. Good work to everyone involved! You’ve definitely made a difference in many lives! Keep up the great work!
So excited that this event was such a success! Everyone was well spoken and really made me think deeply about what I can do to support the local community. Thank you for your support! WeLoveU!
Our future depends on the quality of education our children receive today. I’m so glad to know there are great organizations such as the WeLoveU Foundation that focus on this. I really do hope more leaders, not just in Connecticut, but across the entire U.S., can realize and also participate in this nobel effort.
What an amazing event! Even in these unprecedented times, it’s very easy to only think of oneself. The International WeLoveU Foundation and the Chairwoman has made such great steps to help our communities who are in need due to the digital gap. Through this beautiful example; I hope many people will join the movement and help one another even more in the future!
Weloveu Foundation is leading the world by delivering their warmest hearts to the neighbors.
It is easy to say that we should help others but It is not easy to put what they say into action.
we should try hard to do sth helpful to our neighbors!
Weloveu Foundation sets a good example to the people 🙂
Thank you WeLoveU foundation for listening and caring for the community needs. You guys are a great example to follow!.
I really enjoyed participating in this initiative to support students during the most challenging school year of their lives! Great to see Chairwoman Zahng Gil-Jah’s work being carried out in the US along with the east coast WeLoveU volunteers.