The YMCA of Rock River Valley is partnering with Comp-U-Dopt, a nonprofit with a mission to provide technology access and education, and Rockford Computers for Schools to distribute 100 free computers to Rockford students.
The Rockford lottery is open now and the computers will be given away in mid-to-late August. Families can enter the lottery here:
https://bit.ly/2Uq4Z0b
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically shifted the education landscape and pushed school districts to scramble to implement online and distance learning opportunities as campuses remain closed. Yet, a significant portion of the student population still aren’t able to access online tools simply because they don’t have a computer at home.
“We estimate there are 10,000 families in the Rockford area that lack access to a computer at home,” says Kaia Dutler, Executive Director for Comp-U-Dopt, Chicago & Northern IL. “We are excited to be partnering with the YMCA of Rock River Valley and Rockford Computers for Schools to ensure students in the community have the tools they need to access distance learning resources. Partnerships like these demonstrate how solvable this issue really is for the community.”
According to the Pew Research Institute, 46% of low-income families lack access to a computer at home and census data points to approximately 13 million families across the United States facing the same challenge. With supply chain delays and the global demand for devices at an all-time high, Comp-U-Dopt’s approach is one of the most efficient and only real viable methods of closing the gap for low-income students.
“The Y aims to nurture the potential of every youth and works to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful in life,” said Brent Pentenburg, CEO, YMCA of Rock River Valley. “It’s a tough time for students and families – especially those who don’t have computer access at home. We are excited to change that for many local families and hope this program will support their student’s education now and into the future.”
While 100 families will be served at this distribution, Comp-U-Dopt has partnerships to distribute over 4,700 computers and counting to Chicago and Northern Illinois area residents in need.
Comp-U-Dopt pulls lottery registrants randomly in advance of a distribution based on the inventory they have available, selected families then rsvp for a date and time to pick up their computer at one of their distribution sites. Social distancing and safety protocols are maintained, and the device is placed in the family’s vehicle. Computers are given to families free of charge and Comp-U-Dopt also provides two years of tech support along with information on free and low-cost Internet options that match family’s specific needs.
By the end of June, Comp-U-Dopt will have distributed 11,000 computers to families without access across their Northern Illinois, Dallas, Houston, Covington, KY, New Orleans, and Washington D.C sites. 83% of computer recipients are living in households earning less than $50,000 annually with an average family size greater than 4 people.
Comp-U-Dopt pulls lottery registrants randomly in advance of a distribution based on the inventory they have available, selected families then rsvp for a date and time to pick up their computer at one of their distribution sites. Social distancing and safety protocols are maintained, and the device is placed in the family’s vehicle. Computers are given to families free of charge and Comp-U-Dopt also provides two years of tech support along with information on free and low-cost Internet options that match family’s specific needs.
By the end of June, Comp-U-Dopt will have distributed 11,000 computers to families without access across their Northern Illinois, Dallas, Houston, Covington, KY, New Orleans, and Washington D.C sites. 83% of computer recipients are living in households earning less than $50,000 annually with an average family size greater than 4 people.
About Comp-U-Dopt
Comp-U-Dopt is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2007 with a mission to provide technology access and education to underserved youth. To date they have distributed over 23,000 devices to students in need and delivered over 100,000 hours of technology education.
Each year they serve 3,000-plus young people from economically disadvantaged families providing computers and quality STEM and workforce focused afterschool programming. They have programs in Northern Illinois, Dallas, Galveston, Houston, Covington, New Orleans, and Washington D.C. www.compudopt.org