Page 15 - 2022 Impact Report

CREDIT UNION IMPACT REPORT 15

DELIVERING INTERNET ACCESS

TO THE DISADVANTAGED

Using a Community Enrichment
Grant of $2,500 from the Michigan
Credit Union Foundation (MCUF),
Lansing-based LAFCU designed
the Hotspot program, a plan
designed to provide internet access
to people and families that need it
to complete remote job or school
duties but cannot currently afford it.

The Hotspot program has provided
internet accessibility to those in the
greater Mid-Michigan area. Many
adults in the workforce and children
in school have been displaced to
work and learn from home during
the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving
many at a disadvantage.

“We observed an immediate need in
our communities for internet access
for working and learning from
home during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alyssa “ Many people and families
Troub, LAFCU’s marketing and communications
specialist. “Many people and families simply could not simply could not afford or did
afford or did not have internet access. We developed
the LAFCU Hotspot program to assist those in our not have internet access. We
communities with this need by providing hotspots developed the LAFCU Hotspot
with three months of internet connectivity.”
program to assist those in our
The LAFCU Marketing team designed and advertised
the program on all marketing channels and worked communities with this need ”
with public relations partners to promote the
program in local communities. The Hotspot program
then had a month-long application timeframe to A hotpot and data plan bundle is $100 each, plus
allow individuals and families to complete a form with shipping and other fees. Using the credit union’s own
basic contact information and to describe their need $2,500 and a matching grant from MCUF, LAFCU
for internet access. purchased 45 total hotspots to provide to community
members in need. All recipients have been notified
“The pandemic has illuminated the disparity that and have been shipped hotspot equipment and data
exists with regard to internet access,” said Kelli connectivity.
Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU chief marketing officer
and chief diversity officer. “Because access to “The equipment provided to these families will
the internet is vital to many necessary endeavors, allow them to connect to the internet easily and to
LAFCU is offering this community giveaway to help maintain a reliable internet connection,” continued
students participate in distance learning and for Troub. “The credit union philosophy is ‘People Helping
adults to connect to online education, job searches, People’ and the LAFCU Hotspot program exemplifies
health care information, public assistance and other the value of helping those in our communities who
critical services.” need it most.”