"Conspicuously left out of the $2 trillion stimulus package, most high school seniors and many college students are not eligible for broad financial assistance from the government to help them dig out of the pandemic's economic hole." The Washington Post, April 24, 2020
According to The Washington Post, 44% of all workers in the US have jobs that are considered low wage, with median pay of $10.22/per hour; additionally they lack benefits such as health insurance. Many students and their parents held low wage jobs and no longer have them! What a predicament ... up that creek without a paddle. You can’t just go out and buy a new or used laptop; neither you nor your family has the money, especially now if both of you lost a job.
Imagine you’re an ambitious 11th grade student and fortunate participant in a non-profit’s college prep program. You need to keep up your grades since you’re reaching high, for college acceptance, a scholarship, and a degree en route to upward mobility. With no computer at hand you sit helpless ... up that creek without a paddle! Read on about the “paddle” we provided Kevin with.
Kevin’s iMac - a Silver Lining Around a Massive Cloud
His good fortune includes not only the iMac and the college prep program, but also a mentor who is a program alum, who 10 years ago followed a vocational track, now successful in the IT field, and purchased a home for his family! That’s the upward mobility we’re talking about that “takes a village” to bring their ambition and talent to fruition.
Now do you get the picture? Kevin is among the many students struggling to stay on course with schoolwork and couldn’t without access to the technology. We hope he continues to have a roof over his head and healthful meals. His is a vastly different life from his wealthier peers who not only have access to their classes online, but also have parents receiving pitches daily for online acting classes, music lessons, tutoring, on-line read-alouds, science & technology websites. Is the photo becoming more heartwarming for you as well, knowing what a difference that little old iMac will make in his life… someone else’s trade-in gets a new life, and gives a new life. Thanks to our alchemist Mac wizard we provided 3 students and a tutor with iMacs. All Out for Change® provides hope and help to low-income students like Kevin, Taronne, Da-Quon and American Indian college scholars faced with potentially tragic consequences due to campus shutdowns along with their limited financial resources (the socio-economic conundrum built into our country’s educational system).
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MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder AllOutForChange® Comments are closed.
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MaryAnn PuglisiChief Engagement Officer, AllOutForChange.org Categories |