Comp-U-Dopt Announces 10 Years of Providing Computers and Technology Education to Underserved Youth in Houston Area

Houston, TX, March 14, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Since its founding in 2007, Comp-U-Dopt has made great strides – and touched literally thousands of lives – by providing technology access and education to underserved youths in the Houston area.

During the last 10 years, Comp-U-Dopt has achieved the following milestones:

"There are tremendous career opportunities for young people with an aptitude for science, technology, engineering and math. At Comp-U-Dopt, we're helping make a difference by taking used computers, refurbishing them and getting them in the hands of children who don't have access to a computer at home. And we don't stop there - every year we're building on technical education programs that have provided thousands of students in grades 3-12 with technical literacy and computing skills."

Art Huffman, Chairman of the Board

• Delivered more than  8,600 refurbished computers to children in underserved communities
• Provided technology education to more than 9,000 students in grades 3-8
• Helped more than 300 high school students learn how computers work, with program graduates earning a free, refurbished laptop to advance their studies

Despite these results, there is still work to be done.  Nationally only 50 percent of families living at the poverty line have a computer at home.  In the greater Houston area, there are an estimated 133,000 families without computers at home. In our techno-savvy world, families without ready access to computers face significant challenges as employment services and other critical life needs become increasingly reliant on new technology.  For children and students, early access to technology and computer literacy is even more essential to ensure their success in educational pursuits, careers and, ultimately, their lives.

“There are tremendous career opportunities for young people with an aptitude for science, technology, engineering and math,” said Art Huffman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Comp-U-Dopt and retired Chief Information Officer of Halliburton.  “At Comp-U-Dopt, we’re helping make a difference by taking used computers, refurbishing them and getting them in the hands of children who don’t have access to a computer at home.  And we don’t stop there – every year we’re building on technical education programs that have provided thousands of students in grades 3-12 with technical literacy and computing skills.”

Comp-U-Dopt is reliant on volunteers and corporate supporters to meet its objectives.  “We know that collaboration and partnerships are the keys to our success,” said Megan Steckly, Executive Director of Comp-U-Dopt.  “We thank our individual, corporate and foundation supporters who provide used computers, funding and volunteers.  Equally important are the school districts and other community organizations in the Houston area we collaborate with to implement our programs and expand our reach to serve more students.”

One such program is an after-school initiative in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston where elementary school students learn about technology in a safe and fun environment.  In 2016, 255 students participated in the program, which Comp-U-Dopt is committed to expanding in 2017.

About Comp-U-Dopt:

Founded in 2007, Comp-U-Dopt is a Houston-based nonprofit organization with a mission to provide technology access and education to underserved youth.  During 2016, Comp-U-Dopt distributed over 1,700 refurbished computers and provided technology education and training to more than 1,900 economically disadvantaged students. Comp-U-Dopt relies on the support of community and corporate partners, which provided program funding and more than 4,000 volunteer hours in 2016.  For more information go to www.compudopt.org.

Interview/photo opportunity:

Media is invited to visit Comp-U-Dopt’s 10th STEAM Team at Houston Public Library’s Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning (1050 Quitman, Houston, TX, 77009) from 10 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.  Students will participate in fun workshops that enhance knowledge and technical skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

Contacts:  

For Media Inquiries:
Megan Steckly
Executive Director
713-426-2330 x 1354
 

Corporate Giving and Volunteerism
Brittany Faske
Development Manager
713-426-2330 x 1357
 

Source: Comp-U-Dopt

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