Program Spotlight: Technology Equality
As many of you reading this already know, a laptop is a vital tool for students in today's digital society and online workload. With a laptop, students have the ability to easily access the internet, research information, and complete assignments from the comfort of their own homes. Laptops enable students to stay organized and efficient, allowing them to store their files, notes, and other essential documents in one place. Additionally, laptops enable students to collaborate with their peers on projects and assignments, as well as participate in online classes and lectures. Finally, laptops provide students with the opportunity to experiment with different software programs, allowing them to hone their skills and become more tech-savvy. All of these benefits make a laptop an essential tool for any student looking to stay on top of their studies in today’s digital world.
Many of our students’ households either do not own their own laptop or are forced to share one single computer with many other members of their family, making their time on the device very limited. The lack laptops has proved to be a big challenge for our students, as the cost of a functioning laptop is a luxury that many can not afford. The importance of having a laptop in recent years has skyrocketed due to the global pandemic and the increase in the percentage of workload shifting to digital format - Even classes are being attended online these days.
“A Bridge for Kids has helped me have a better virtual learning experience. With the laptop that I was able to obtain through A Bridge for Kids, I am able to go on zoom and work for hours with no issues. I'm immensely grateful to be able to have this privilege as many students struggle daily with their electronics. On top of school, I am able to create media like films and graphic designs which prepares me for my major in college.”
- Melissa Ruiz, Crawford High School, Class of 2021
A Bridge for Kids was aware of this problem, and in early 2020 we launched our Technology Equality program. This initiative is dedicated to offering all of our students, who are in need, a free laptop and while the program is still relatively new, it is easily one of our most impactful and has been life changing for many of the students who were fortunate enough to have been sponsored over the past few years Historically, these students didn’t have access to wifi or a computer would have had to travel to the library in order to complete all of their assignments on time. Now, they can work from the comfort of their own home and stay more organized when juggling all of their assignments and extracurriculars.
“With my sponsorship, I was able to receive school supplies such as the laptop I am using to write this. Prior to the purchase, I used my phone to work on school assignments and I struggled to do my homework effectively. A common struggle with texting is making spelling errors due to clicking the wrong letter key, but it's manageable because you normally aren’t texting essays to people. I had to master how to text essays on my phone. At times, it was very frustrating and often discouraged me from wanting to do any work at all. Once I got the laptop, I used it to complete assignments from school at home.”
- Angelina Gonzalez, Preuss School, Class of 2022
Because of the Technology Equality program, many of our students have been able to access greater educational opportunities that would have been out of reach without the laptops we have provided. We are grateful to know that our efforts are making a difference in the lives of these students, and we look forward to continuing to provide them with the resources they need to succeed.