A donation of six laptops from UnitedHealthcare is set to aid Families First for Mississippi in providing resources to both children and adults across the state.
Gifted by UnitedHealthcare the laptops will be split between the organization’s resource centers in Jackson and in Tupelo, two of the organizations 21 centers in Mississippi. Dr. Nancy New, Executive Director of Families First for Mississippi, was thankful for the donation, and noted that the laptops will be a valuable resource as the organization continues to grow.
“They will help every student that comes in here,” Dr. New said. “Whether it’s with resume writing, our online high-school diploma program or job readiness, computers are essential. It is really building the capacity around the state that we are one.”
Families First has also developed a partnership with the Department of Human Services to better assist Mississippians. Executive Director of MDHS John Davis was also on hand at today’s event to celebrate the gifting of these new computers.
“The Families First resource center may be the only opportunity that someone may have to access a computer,” Davis said. “It is so very important to look at the whole family. How do we help whole families eliminate those barriers in their lives so that they too can find self-sufficiency and independence? That is our goal at the MDHS, and partnering with Families First, we’ve been able to accomplish a lot of that, and what an opportunity it is to partner with United.”
UnitedHealthcare has donated over 3,000 computers nationwide, and Kenisha Potter, Director of Community Outreach, stated that they know how important it can be to connect communities through the use of technology.
“We’ve learned that in order for members to live healthier lives, we not only have to provide quality healthcare, but they need to be a part of communities that are involved in their healthcare and provide additional services. That’s why we are so excited about our partnership with Families First for Mississippi,” Potter said.
With a plethora of programs offered in the center, Potter says that she is looking forward to hearing about the continued success of the partnership.
“We are looking forward to working with an organization that does impact the whole family,” she said. “We are excited about all of the wonderful stories that we hear from the resource center about how many lives have been impacted through the partnership between UnitedHealthcare and Families First.”
The computers will be used for Families First for Mississippi services such as its high school diploma program, youth development, parenting education, workforce readiness and literacy promotion.
