Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) has received laptops to provide to veteran and veteran spouse students thanks to Virginia Department of Veterans Services’ (VDS) Military Education & Workforce Initiative (MEWI).
Following the success of the Military Student Technology Initiative and through a partnership with the Veterans Services Foundation (VSF) and Tech for Troops (T4T), Military Education & Workforce Initiative (MEWI) has been able to establish the Virginia Veteran Laptop Project (VVLP). Through this effort, laptop computers are made available to veterans and their spouses at no cost to the family. Veterans and military spouses who are currently enrolled at a Virginia Community College and taking classes can participate. This program is open to any veteran or military spouse regardless of discharge status.
MEWI program manager John Hall and Tech For Troops (T4T) business development lead Jack Raymondson visited P&HCC to present the laptops to Rosemary Bowers, P&HCC veterans coordinator, and Jack Hanbury, P&HCC vice president for financial & administrative services.
“This project is not just to bring computers to students, but also to provide them with all the other knowledge that DVS has to offer them about services – from care services to benefits and claims, DVS offers all that benefit free of charge,” said Hall.
In the 2023-2024 school year, P&HCC had 22 veterans/veteran spouses/reserve veterans participating in GI Bill student services.
“It’s exciting to be able to bring this opportunity to our veterans and spouses that are attending here at Patrick & Henry Community College,” said Bowers.
MEWI assists veterans and service members with their transition from active duty to civilian life and enhances employment opportunities for Virginians who have served in the United States Armed Forces, and their spouses, by providing a pathway to education, training, certifications, and technology.
T4T recycles and distributes computers with the support of corporate, state and federal partners to distribute laptops to veterans and their families.