The School City of Mishawaka is joining South Bend’s Citywide Classroom initiative.

Students in the School City can now apply for free WiFi hotspots through the initiative, which was launched during the pandemic to help students who lacked reliable home internet service outside of the school.

The local nonprofit enFocus, which helped develop the program, told WVPE that it has connected over 4200 students in the South Bend Community School Corporation since the program launched.

To qualify, students must be enrolled in the South Bend Community School Corporation, the School City of Mishawaka or participating non-public schools and live within the district boundaries. Students must also receive free or reduced-price meal benefits.

Families can apply online or call (574) 703-1881. They can also call their schools’ administrators for assistance or the St. Joseph County Public Library at (574) 282-4646.