Mia was excited to be in fifth grade, especially when her school reopened for in-person classes. Then her mom’s hours were cut at work, and the two of them had to find more affordable housing. Their new place was in a different neighborhood. Mia didn’t want to switch schools; her principal said that she could stay with her class by attending school online.
With her mom working less hours, internet service was too expensive now. Mia’s mom called 211. A Resource Navigator told her about PHLConnectED, a partnership between the City of Philadelphia and United Way, that connects low-income K-12 student households with access to reliable internet service. Mia was thrilled when her mom told her that they met the eligibility requirements for the program, and had been signed up for a hotspot—at no charge.
The program will see Mia through the end of the school year; hopefully, her mom will be back to work full-time by then. Mia’s glad her mom called 211, and she’s going to work extra hard at school.
“I’m happy that so many people want the best for me!” -Mia, SE PA
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