LYNN — The Essex County Community Foundation is partnering with Healing Abuse Working for Change to help survivors of domestic violence.
ECCF will provide funding for HAWC to offer free devices and one year of internet service to individuals impacted by intimate-partner violence.
HAWC Director of Development Julie Gerraughty explained that the grant includes 150 donated laptops and hotspots, along with cash funding to pay for the internet service.
HAWC Executive Director Sara Stanley said that digital inclusion has become more crucial than ever, particularly in underserved communities where residents with a greater need for resources often have the most difficulty accessing them.
“This grant from ECCF is a testament to their dedication to creating a more equitable and connected community,” Stanley said. “In the digital age, access to technology is not just a privilege; it’s a necessity. This grant will empower our clients to rebuild their lives in the wake of abuse, access essential services, and connect with support networks.”
The grant is part of ECCF’s Advancing Digital Equity initiative, a cross-sector collaborative effort focused on increasing access to the internet, reliable equipment, and critical digital-literacy training.
Funding for the Advancing Digital Equity initiative comes from a partnership with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
“We are very grateful for our partnership with MBI that makes programs like this possible and are honored to partner with HAWC in their mission to empower survivors and support equitable access to technology in our communities,” Kate Machet, director of strategic initiatives and government relations at ECCF, said. “By supporting organizations like HAWC, we’re not just providing access to technology, we’re also helping to pave pathways to education, employment, and social support.”
She added that the grant aligns with ECCF’s ongoing commitment “to fostering inclusivity, equity, and innovation within Essex County.”
With offices in Lynn, Salem, and Gloucester, HAWC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending domestic abuse. HAWC provides a domestic-violence helpline, counseling, legal advocacy, and support services to survivors in Essex County.
