May 8, 2023 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Celebrates Opening of Mobile Computer Labs Across Eight NORD Sites in Partnership with Verizon
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission Chief Executive Officer Larry Barabino, Jr. and Director of State and Local Government Affairs for Verizon Tandra LeMay at the Rosenwald Recreation Center for a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil and celebrate the completion of eight new NORD mobile computer labs throughout the city.
“Today is a true example of my administration’s commitment to fostering positive partnerships between City government and national corporations,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Our citywide survey of Internet connectivity and access found that 44 percent of young people in New Orleans live in poverty and do not have Internet access. Providing reliable technology at our NORD sites across the city will help connect and equip our young people with better opportunities, as well as help some of our most vulnerable residents gain access to digital literacy trainings and other critical resources to move their lives forward in a more positive direction. We welcome the commitment of our national partners like Verizon to help level the digital playing field and bring all our residents and businesses into the 21st century. By bridging the digital divide, we are emerging stronger as a city and are fully in the position to grow.”
In April 2022, NORD announced their partnership with Verizon to help bridge the digital divide, expand NORD’s program offerings and provide thought leadership for the benefit of the community. As a result of this partnership, Verizon donated funds to purchase and launch mobile computer labs at the following NORD sites:
- Cut-Off Recreation Center (6600 Belgrade St.)
- Treme Recreation Center (900 N. Villere St.)
- Joe W. Brown Recreation Center (5601 Read Blvd.)
- John P. Lyons Recreation Center (624 Louisiana Ave.)
- Gernon Brown Recreation Center (1001 Harrison Ave.)
- Stallings St. Claude Recreation Center (4300 St. Claude Ave.)
- Milne Recreation Center (5420 Franklin Ave.)
- Rosenwald Recreation Center (1120 S. Broad St.)
All eight NORD sites are also equipped with backup generators, providing residents with safe and timely access to technology after a citywide disaster.
“Today’s ribbon cutting of the new Verizon-sponsored computer lab allows NORD to expand the programs offered to the residents of this community,” said Barabino. "This grant from Verizon to outfit mobile computer stations at eight select NORD recreation centers that double as cooling, warming and charging stations during post-disaster recovery will also allow residents to manage their personal and property affairs."
"Verizon is proud to collaborate with the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Recreation Department Commission on the creation of multi-use computer labs to foster digital inclusion, combat the digital divide and expand the next generation of learning to ensure a brighter future and help move the world forward for all," said LeMay.
“I’m so excited to welcome this new resource to District B," said Councilmember Lesli Harris of District B. "NORD’s continued growth into the digital space ensures that all of our residents, youth and seniors alike, have equitable access to the resources our world relies on. Many thanks to Verizon to their generous investment that made the Rosenwald lab a reality.”
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