New Digital Learning Lab at Soldiers Home to Support Veterans

MILWAUKEE, WI – Veterans living at Milwaukee Soldiers Home will have access to a new computer lab thanks to a partnership between the nonprofit Everyone On, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM), and The Alexander Company.

Located on the historic Soldiers Home campus, which houses veterans who were formerly homeless or at risk of homelessness, the new Digital Learning Lab is a lifeline for the veteran residents who now live at Soldiers Home. Equipped with computers, high-speed internet, and digital learning tools, it puts opportunity right down the hall from home. Veterans can now build essential digital skills, apply for jobs, manage benefits, and connect with the broader world – all in a safe, familiar, and supportive environment.

“This computer lab will be a gateway to opportunity,” said Norma E. Fernandez, CEO of Everyone On. “Too often, individuals experiencing housing insecurity also face digital inequities. By providing technology and training here at Soldiers Home we’re helping ensure veterans can thrive in today’s connected world.”

The Soldiers Home is a nationally significant historic campus that was restored and returned to service through a public-private partnership led by The Alexander Company, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and HACM. It now provides supportive housing for veterans while preserving historic buildings once at risk of demolition.

“The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee is proud to continue supporting the veterans who live at Soldiers Home,” said Ken Barbeau, Interim Secretary-Executive Director of HACM. “Access to technology is critical to independence and opportunity, and this Digital Learning Lab ensures our veterans have the tools they need to succeed.”

In 2021, six historic buildings on the Soldiers Home campus were restored to house veterans who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. Building on that success, The Alexander Company is currently working towards rehabilitating three additional historic buildings to further serve veterans – the Ward Memorial Theater, Soldiers Home Chapel, and Governor’s Mansion. The Alexander Company emphasizes the importance of pairing housing with resources that promote long-term stability.

“At Soldiers Home, we’ve seen the power of combining housing with supportive services,” said Joseph Alexander, President of The Alexander Company. “Adding the Digital Learning Lab builds on that mission by equipping residents with technology that helps them stay connected and maintain independence.”

Made possible with the support of Microsoft, the Digital Learning Lab opened to residents in September of this year.

ABOUT SOLDIERS HOME

Established in 1867, the Milwaukee Soldiers Home is one of the three original Soldiers Homes in the country. The 90-plus acre district rests on the grounds of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center and was designed to be a place of refuge for Civil War soldiers and help ease their transition back to civilian life. One of only 43 National Historic Landmarks in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Soldiers Home contains some of the oldest and most historic buildings in the VA system. Today, several of the rehabilitated historic buildings on the Soldiers Home Campus house veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Learn more at milwaukeesoldiershome.com.

ABOUT EVERYONE ON

Everyone On is a national nonprofit that connects under-resourced communities to affordable internet and computers, trains individuals and organizations on digital skills and resources, and advances fair and just policies. Since 2012, we have connected 2 million people to the internet, provided 10,000+ computers, and trained 6,000+ individuals in digital skills over the past five years. We design high-impact, community-centered programs replicated nationwide through strategic partnerships with government, corporations, and nonprofits, with a focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Central Valley, California; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We envision a society where every individual has equal access to technology—expanding their potential and creating a more connected and thriving world. Learn more at everyoneon.org.

ABOUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE

Founded in 1944, HACM provides high-quality housing options to over 10,000 households in Milwaukee. HACM’s award-winning programs foster strong and inclusive communities that support self-sufficiency, good quality of life, and the opportunity to thrive. Learn more at hacm.org.

ABOUT THE ALEXANDER COMPANY

The Alexander Company has over 40 years’ experience specializing in urban infill development, historic preservation, affordable housing solutions, and property management. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the award-winning, full-service real estate development firm gives new life to historically significant buildings and downtown neighborhoods nationwide. Learn more at alexandercompany.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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