Make It Haverhill secures funding for full-time digital literacy manager, plans classes and FAFSA help

Keith Boucher, founder of Make It Haverhill, told the council the organization has secured funding to hire a full-time digital literacy and equity program manager and expects to restart a more robust set of classes in March.

Boucher said Make It Haverhill’s free classes—previously offered by volunteers—will again provide devices to graduates through a partnership with Tech Goes Home: participants who complete classes will receive a Chromebook, headset and, if needed, an Internet hotspot. He said instruction will be offered in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.

The group also recently hosted a FAFSA assistance session with school guidance staff; Boucher said the session drew roughly 20 families. He urged better coordination between Haverhill Public Schools, MassHire and local nonprofits to connect students with workforce training and jobs. Boucher said some MassHire services hold office hours in Haverhill but that continuation of local availability may be uncertain.

Boucher highlighted available federal funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for eligible students and said he plans to work with school guidance counselors to enroll students who meet program criteria. "There may be some opportunity to provide some tech support," Boucher said, and emphasized the importance of partnerships with the mayor’s Internet task force and local nonprofits.

Councilors thanked Boucher and urged outreach to ensure residents know about the programs. Councilor Mitchelson noted that awareness is half the battle and praised Make It Haverhill’s work connecting residents to training, devices and basic tech skills.