Massachusetts Veterans, Inc.
Worcester, MA

Massachusetts Veterans Inc (MVI) is the second largest non-profit supportive services provider to veterans in New England. The majority of veterans served are homeless. MVI provides emergency shelter, housing assistance, job training, meal programs, and counseling as well as referrals to other agencies. The Department of Labor has recognized MVI’s Employment & Training Program for its best practices.

C4T Grant Activities
While MVI has been successfully teaching computer skills to homeless veterans for several years, the organization applied for C4T funds to expand their training programs. With the grant funds, Mass Veterans has opened a full-time Resource Room, where clients can have greater access to computers and the Internet. The grant also allows for a Resource Room Attendant to staff the space and provide training opportunities, including a Computer Literacy course and an Internet/Email workshop. Personalized computer training and tutoring are also offered in addition to classes to meet the diverse learning needs of clients. When classes are not held in the Resource Room, the computers are available for clients to practice their skills, job search, locate housing, access services and communicate with family and friends.

Outcomes
The Resource Room has seen a sharp increase in usage as a result of the Connections for Tomorrow grant. The Room started the grant period with fewer than 50 clients accessing the computers. By May, over 80 people were using the computers and Internet available in the Resource Room. By September, an additional 70 new participants were taking advantage of the Resource Room technology.

More than 60 clients participated in the Computer Literacy courses offered through the Resource Room, and all of them have increased their computer skill levels. Through the course, students have used the Internet to search for job opportunities. Some of the students in the course completed job applications online, which have resulted in employment. Other students created their first email accounts, learning how to attach files and pictures.

Mass Veterans shared the following story as part of their mid-grant report:

One of the residents of the Veterans Shelter had no prior computer experience. He figured he didn’t use the computer, so there was no need to know how. Since participating in the literacy class, he utilizes the resource room regularly and has had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand what a powerful tool the computer and Internet can be. In fact, he has reunited with his daughter after thirty years of no contact. Since this reunion, they have begun using email and chat programs to become better acquainted with one another. They have exchanged pictures and stories of events that have passed during their time apart.

Some of the veterans have gone on to more advanced computer training, including Microsoft Office training and A+ certification.

Additional Grant Funds
C4T’s Access Fund has allowed Mass Veterans to purchase $1500 worth of assistive technology products that will assist homeless clients who experience learning and physical disabilities. With the new equipment which was installed in June, the Resource Room is now able to provide an improved level of service to individuals who have specialized learning needs as well as limited vision and/or motor skills.

Capacity-building support from C4T has also enabled Mass Veterans to work with a consultant to develop marketing materials for the organization. These materials will assist Mass Veterans in their goal of increasing awareness of the organization’s programs and services for potential clients and donors across the state.