Adagio Health, Comcast and YWCA of Westmoreland County Engage Women Veterans in Digital Literacy Workshop

Adagio Health, Comcast and YWCA of Westmoreland County Engage Women Veterans in Digital Literacy Workshop  

Session Focused on Advancing Digital Skills and Device Access to Help Improve Quality of Life 

Greensburg, PA (November 2, 2023) – Adagio Health knows access to digital skills, literacy training and technology support can lead to health equity for vulnerable populations, and that partnering with like-minded organizations can help bring those resources to those who need it most. That’s why as part of its fall programming, Adagio Health, together with Comcast and the YWCA of Westmoreland County, hosted a “Support, Community and Technology” event for more than a dozen women veterans in Southwestern Pennsylvania to deliver digital literacy training and improve broadband adoption. In addition, Comcast surprised event attendees with brand-new laptops to address device access and affordability barriers, as part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity. 

“We are so pleased to partner with Comcast, with the support of the YWCA of Westmoreland County, as we work toward greater health equity and access to services for women veterans,” said BJ Leber, President and CEO of Adagio Health. “We know there are disparities around health and technology that impact women veterans. With our partners, we are working to eliminate those barriers.” 

During the session, members of the YWCA of Westmoreland County’s Digital Navigator program facilitated the digital skills training and technology instruction. The YWCA’s Digital Navigators program is powered by a $10,000 grant from Comcast. Digital Navigators are individuals affiliated with trusted community organizations who are trained to help people access the Internet, use devices and acquire digital skills. Once training is complete, these Digital Navigators educate community members in a wide range of digital awareness and literacy skills. 

“The YWCA of Westmoreland County’s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women, and those who attended this event with Adagio Health certainly left feeling empowered,” said Carol H. Palcic, Executive Director of the YWCA of Westmoreland County. “There was such positive feedback about Comcast’s generosity to our women veterans. Watching the faces of each of these women when they were told that the laptop sitting in front of them was theirs to take home was absolutely priceless! Comcast has gone above and beyond to say, ‘Thank you’ to our women vets.” 

Adagio Health provided session participants with connections to health care, nutrition support and other services, as well as free childcare, which the organization ensures at all of their events, as a lack of childcare has been identified as a frequent barrier to care and services for women veterans. 

Sandy Soloski, Adagio Health’s Women Veterans Project Coordinator – and a veteran herself – added: “There was a sense of community, and I heard a lot of laughter. The instructors from the YWCA were terrific, and Comcast really helped drive this effort – its employees were very engaged with the women veterans at the event. It was a good time!” 

“We were thrilled to work with Adagio Health and the YWCA of Westmoreland County to bring this digital literacy workshop to women veterans,” said Jen Boyett, Director of Community Impact for Comcast’s Keystone Region. “Programs like these enable us to help close the digital divide while also connecting veterans to education, career programs, and other support networks.” 

Adagio Health first began its women veterans initiative in 2017 and is a PsychArmor designated Veteran Ready Healthcare Provider. As part of the engagement, Adagio Health and the RAND Corporation released the findings of a year-long assessment on the needs of women veterans in Western Pennsylvania earlier in 2023. The report affirmed that women veterans are more likely to be impacted by poverty, homelessness, depression, loneliness and increased tobacco use. Researchers have also documented how the digital divide, a gap in access to or understanding around technology, impacts veterans’ health. 

For more information about Adagio Health’s women veterans initiative, visit adagiohealth.org/womenveterans. 

About Adagio Health – For over 50 years, Adagio Health has provided health, wellness, and nutrition services in Pennsylvania. Today, the organization serves approximately 100,000 patients and clients annually. While women’s health is a primary focus for the organization, reproductive health, cancer screening, and preventive health services are also offered to men, teens, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone in need of care in a welcoming, confidential setting. Adagio Health operates nine medical offices in western PA that also address social determinants of health such as food insecurity, behavioral health, and care navigation; manages the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program in five PA counties; promotes tobacco/vaping prevention and cessation; oversees breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment programs in 62 counties across PA; offers specialized care to women veterans; and empowers local communities to address nutritional, reproductive, and behavioral health along with positive relationship building and life skills through an array of clinical and education programs. Adagio Health receives funding from the State and Federal government, foundations, corporations, partners, and individuals. 

About Comcast Corporation – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. 

About YWCA of Westmoreland County – YWCA Westmoreland County endeavors for social justice by working to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA Westmoreland County is part of an international movement serving over 2 million in the United States and 25 million worldwide. For comprehensive information about this important work, visit: www.ywcawestmoreland.org and www.ywca.org.