Think Together Provides Compton Students with No-Cost Laptops, Marks 600 Devices Donated Since Pandemic Shutdown
Think Together Provides Compton Students with No-Cost Laptops, Marks 600 Devices Donated Since Pandemic Shutdown
Innovative collaboration with technology leader Broadcom Inc. provides K-12 students in Los Angeles County and beyond with the tools, technology and support needed to succeed in school, whether virtual or hybrid.
Compton, Calif. (March 19, 2021) – Think Together, California’s largest nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning, and school improvement programs, in collaboration with global technology leader Broadcom Inc., distributed laptop computers at no cost to 25 students at Roosevelt Elementary School in Compton to support continued learning whether students receive instruction in-person or online.
Since March 2020, when California schools were mandated to continue instruction using distance learning, the organizations have remained dedicated to helping bridge the digital divide for under-resourced students across California. The laptop distribution at Roosevelt Elementary School marks 600 digital devices donated to Think Together staff and students in Los Angeles County and beyond since schools closed their doors to in-person learning due to the pandemic one year ago.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Think Together pivoted to provide virtual expanded learning programs to 150,000 youth including students experiencing homelessness, in foster care and children of essential workers across California, and this would not have been possible without Broadcom’s donation of nearly 600 laptops,” said Randy Barth, CEO and founder at Think Together. “Our collaboration with Broadcom allows us to provide students in Compton and throughout the state with the tools and support needed to succeed.”
This year, Think Together honored Broadcom with its “Champion of Change” award which recognizes an outstanding partner dedicated to changing the odds for kids. Broadcom has been recognized for helping Think Together and its school district partners across California meet this moment through transformational support of student programs in the areas of technology and innovation. Since the start of its partnership in 2018, Think Together and Broadcom have distributed nearly 2,000 laptop devices to students across the state.
“Broadcom’s in-kind contribution of computers has always been important, but now it is essential,” said Paula Golden, president of Broadcom Foundation. “The pandemic requires that every child have access to computer technology remotely if they are to stay current with the education priorities of their family and their schools. Broadcom Foundation and Broadcom in collaboration with Think Together make it possible for young people to stay engaged in STEM education and other important classroom teachings.”
Compton Unified School District (CUSD), which includes Roosevelt Elementary School, was the first Think Together school district partner to work with the organization to operate in-person learning hubs. These in-person hubs were designed to support students with limited access to technology at home and provide a safe and stable learning environment and much-needed academic support.
The laptops will aid Think Together students at Roosevelt Elementary School and will provide students with technology to support their academic achievements as they engage in the organization’s interactive STEM programs including coding and robotics.
“Having access to learning technology has been critical now more than ever, with the onset of the pandemic. Whether learning in person or virtually, our students deserve to have access to quality learning, quality after-school care and quality devices,” said CUSD Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley. “We appreciate Think Together and Broadcom’s partnership and support in ensuring these students have devices of their own.”
“It is undeniable the value of partnerships in ensuring that students are able to fully participate in learning in all of its forms. This pandemic has been hard. We know that the best place for students to learn is in the classroom, fully supported educationally and emotionally. However, having partners like Think Together and Broadcom is one way we can ensure our students have what they need and know that we care about their wellbeing,” said CUSD Board President Micah Ali.
About Think Together
Think Together partners with schools and communities to pursue educational equity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.
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