May 22, 2013; San Diego Union-Tribune
Computers 2 SD Kids (C2SDK), a San Diego nonprofit, is bridging the technology gap in local communities by reaching out to low-income families and selling inexpensive, refurbished computers. The organization’s refurbished computers sell for $65, which includes support and a lifetime guarantee of replacement. Last week, approximately 500 families from Escondido schools went home with new computers.
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San Diego Regional Technology Alliance research has shown that 28 percent of families in San Diego County do not own a computer. It has become essential for students to have access to a computer in order to excel in school, so C2SDK collaborates with nonprofits and school districts in the San Diego area to organize sign-up drives.
Executive Director Cheri Pierre said, “It’s much more effective when we go into the schools because it ties in with the efforts of the principals and teachers.” C2SDK has also partnered with Cox Communications and its Connect 2 Compete initiative to give low-income families better access to Internet access at an affordable price.
C2SDK’s initiative is also serving to protect the environment by rehabilitating older technology that would otherwise most likely have found its way to landfills. The recycled computers come with software aimed at educating the whole family, including the learning platform Power My Learning and Microsoft Office products.—Aine Creedon
