iPass Renews Commitment to Provide Internet Access to Underserved Women Searching for Employment
June 20 2018 - 8:00AM
Access to technology is among the most critical obstacles
preventing women from joining the workforce. Nearly 50 million
Americans do not have access to the internet, and those without the
ability to get online are at a severe disadvantage in the job
market. For this reason, iPass Inc. (NASDAQ:IPAS), a leading
provider of global mobile connectivity, today announced it will
extend its partnership with Bottomless Closet – a nonprofit that
helps disadvantaged New York City women re-enter the workforce and
achieve success – to provide its clients with six months of free,
unlimited Wi-Fi.
In honor of World Wi-Fi Day, over the course of the next year,
iPass will provide up to 3,000 Bottomless Closet clients free
access to the iPass SmartConnectTM service while they conduct their
job searches. Once activated, the service will provide each user
with free access to the iPass global network of more than 64
million hotspots, including millions of hotspots in the U.S.
“Connectivity has become a fundamental requirement for engaging
in and getting ahead in today’s world,” said Patricia Hume, chief
operating officer of iPass. “Bottomless Closet is doing great work
to help women overcome incredible obstacles to transform their
lives, and we believe internet access is an important tool in that
work. Given that approximately 21 percent of unemployed New York
City residents lack internet access, we are excited to partner with
Bottomless Closet and support the mission of World Wi-Fi Day by
delivering free internet access to those who need it.”
iPass and Bottomless Closet originally launched their
partnership on June 20, 2016 in conjunction with the inaugural
World Wi-Fi Day – a Wireless Broadband Alliance initiative
promoting wireless internet connectivity across both the developed
and developing world. The Wireless Broadband Alliance, the
preeminent organization driving the adoption of wireless broadband,
is urging cities, government agencies, fixed and mobile operators,
technology vendors, internet companies and service providers, as
well as retailers, to collaborate in an effort to deliver
connectivity to people in all corners of the globe.
“For the women we serve, cost-free access to the iPass Wi-Fi
network will undoubtedly prove to be a significant resource that
can assist them in their job searches, enabling them to compete on
an equal playing field,” said Pam Kulnis, program director at
Bottomless Closet.
Bottomless Closet provides disadvantaged New York City women,
many of whom are transitioning from unemployment and public
assistance, with comprehensive services to help them return to or
enter the workforce. Their job-readiness services include the
selection and provision of suitable workplace attire, one-on-one
resume assistance and interview coaching, as well as access to a
range of relevant workshops pertaining to professional and personal
development.
About iPass Inc.iPass (NASDAQ:IPAS) is a
leading provider of global mobile connectivity, offering simple,
secure, always-on Wi-Fi access on any mobile device. Built on a
software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, the iPass cloud-based
service keeps its customers connected by providing unlimited Wi-Fi
connectivity on unlimited devices. iPass is the world’s largest
Wi-Fi network, with more than 64 million hotspots around the globe,
at airports, hotels, train stations, convention centers, outdoor
venues, inflight, and more. Using patented technology, the iPass
SmartConnect™ platform takes the guesswork out of Wi-Fi,
automatically connecting customers to the best hotspot for their
needs. Customers simply download the iPass SmartConnect app to
experience unlimited, everywhere, and invisible Wi-Fi.
iPass® is a registered trademark of iPass Inc. Wi-Fi® is a
registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other trademarks
are owned by their respective owners.
About Bottomless ClosetFounded in 1999,
Bottomless Closet is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation whose
mission is to be the connection that inspires and guides
disadvantaged New York City women to enter the workforce and
achieve success through a host of services and programming,
including the selection of interview attire, one-to-one resume
review, interview coaching and a broad workshop curriculum that
promotes professional development, financial management and
personal enrichment. More than 30,000 women have been served by the
organization since its inception in 1999. For more information,
please visit www.bottomlessclosetnyc.org, and be sure to follow
Bottomless Closet on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest,
YouTube and LinkedIn.
iPass Media ContactAlex CrawshawSpark
Communications +44 (0) 20 7436 0420ipass@sparkcomms.co.uk