AI-Vets continues to help get laptops into the hands of Veterans, supporting the VA and partnering with other technology firms.
Technology serves an important role in supporting Veterans’ health, wellbeing, and reintegration into society by providing access to essential care and educational opportunities. It also provides a means to connect with loved ones, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many Veterans still do not have computers or laptops to access these technologies.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary’s Center for Strategic Partnerships (SCSP) created a call to action requesting support to assist Veterans during the pandemic.
Three technology companies provided and distributed more than 450 laptops to Veterans
Intel, who pledged $50 million in a pandemic response technology initiative to combat the coronavirus, immediately responded by offering to donate laptops to veterans in need. Dell followed suit, resulting in a total donation of more than 450 laptops.
But the VA needed help getting these laptops into the hands of Veterans. Information technology solutions company, AI-Vets, provided the logistics and distribution — making every part of the partnership donation effort Veteran-centric.
AI-Vets supports the missions of government agencies, like the VA, by providing innovative technology solutions to overcome their biggest challenges.
“As a Veteran-owned service-disabled small business headquartered in Oklahoma, home to nearly 300,000 veterans, this initiative was especially important to us.” — James Cavin, CEO & Co-Founder, AI-Vets
Veterans receive quality care with the use of laptops
Daryl Pinkney is one of several Veterans to receive a laptop donation. Daryl served in the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division from 1980-2000.
He was diagnosed with cancer in December 2019 and now receives treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Because the cost of housing and transportation were a burden for the Pinkneys, his VA team connected him with the VA Greater Cleveland Fisher House.
Fisher Houses offer comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital.
“The laptops are a great benefit for Veterans who are currently living at the Fisher House. With the use of the laptops, we have access to My HealtheVet. That’s a portal for Veterans to communicate with the VA hospital or Cleveland Clinic,” said Analisa Pinkney. “With this access, we can check our medical records and upcoming appointments or communicate any concerns to our care providers.”
Veterans use laptops to prepare for employment or higher education
AI-Vets distributed 100 laptops to VA’s Fisher Houses, 135 laptops to VA’s Veteran School at Work (VSAW), and 222 laptops to The Greater Los Angeles Area Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH).
VSAW is deploying the laptops to nine different locations across the country. VSAW, in partnership with VA’s National Homeless Program Office, offers a blended learning program for Veterans currently homeless or who have experienced homelessness by combining education with career planning to prepare Veterans for employment or higher education.
