ConnectHome Initiative helps families connect

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Several community leaders were at the Buck Melton Center Friday afternoon for an update on Macon-Bibb County’s participation on the ConnectHome initiative.

The initiative, which began last June, was started by President Obama in an ongoing effort to give families that don’t have access to technology a chance to stay connected to their schools, even during after-school hours.

Ed Jennings, the regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, says it’s important for public housing residents to get their hands on computers and other devices at affordable rates.

“The idea of kids who did not have access, having access changes their lives,” he said.  “It increases their school attendance, allows them to perform better, allows parents to be more engaged with their kids and their performances in school.”

In Macon, Cox Communications participates in Connect2Compete, which helps these same families living in public housing the chance for high-speed home internet for as low as $9.99 a month.  Several other organizations, such as the non-profit EveryoneOn and Quality Computers have also partnered with the program.

“Ultimately, those kids to have access will have better opportunities to apply to college,” Jennings continued.  “Eighty percent of all colleges now no longer have a written application, you got to go on the internet.”

Around 150 families in the area are currently participating in the initiative.