Dom Polski residents celebrate the implementation of free internet at the apartment with U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (left).
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — Dom Narodowy Polski apartment residents were joined on Aug. 5 by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, local officials and other representatives to celebrate free broadband upgrades at the senior housing property.
The upgrades were made available under the statewide Residential Retrofit Program, an approximately $70 million investment to improve internet access in public and affordable housing.
Preservation of Affordable Housing co-hosted the event with Aervivo — the new internet service provider for Dom Polski — and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute.
Many speakers at the event said that free internet access will help residents stay socially connected and access services such as educational opportunities.
POAH President and CEO Aaron Gornstein said, “We think it’s become essential for economic security and opportunity. Through this investment, we’re providing high-speed, free internet to all residents living here at Dom Polski; all 50 residents. We know how important it is for the seniors living here in terms of telehealth and accessing benefits, taking advantage of educational opportunities, but also keeping socially connected.”
Neal said more accessible internet will further allow residents to access telehealth appointments.
“One of the features that came out of the dread of the pandemic was telehealth,” Neal said. “That’s a big deal because it was transformative. People came to see it, use it and said, ‘I’m comfortable with it.’ We wanted to make sure that remained,” Neal said.
Aervivo CEO Mike Hart said his company focuses on creating a generational impact.
“We don’t think about this as just being another [internet service provider]. We have [internet service providers] across the country connected to communities, but they’ve just been continually overlooking the needs of the residents and meeting you where you are to help you participate in this increasingly digitized economy,” Hart said.
He explained that his company doesn’t just install Wi-Fi; they also listen to their customers and attempt to educate them through digital literacy classes.
POAH Communities Property Manager Christy Torres said that residents participated in six weeks of computer classes and, upon completion, were gifted their own Dell laptop.
“When I first heard about the free internet, we were so, so excited,” Torres stated. “I started to talk to my residents, and they were like, ‘tell me when I can cancel my internet.’ The most important thing for me is the residents. Our love for the residents, our dedication to the residents, they are kind of family to us.”
Many residents said they valued the free internet, digital literacy classes and a free laptop.
Resident Jose Perez said the upgrades and free internet will help him save $3,000 a year, which he can now use on other things.
MBI Program Development Director Josh Eichen said this property in Chicopee is one of 29 that are being rewired for high-speed, affordable broadband across the state.
“That’s putting money back in people’s pockets; that’s allowing folks to use that funding for groceries, for childcare, for healthcare,” Eichen said.
He also explained that Chicopee has a Municipal Digital Implementation grant for public Wi-Fi in different parts of the city. He said more information on the implementation of that grant will be announced in the future.
After the speaking program, residents flipped a switch on an LED light display to launch the milestone.
