HOUSTON — Since the pandemic, KHOU 11 has partnered with Compudopt, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide technology access and education to under-resourced youth and their communities.
Founded in 2007 with the belief that every child deserves equal access to education and opportunity, their goal is to provide students with the resources they need to be successful in the classroom.
More than 15,000 under-resourced Houston families are waiting to receive computers from Compudopt. Statistics show that 30% of economically disadvantaged families still lack access to a computer at home, and only 45% of Texas schools teach computer science. Tens of thousands of students in the Houston area lack the basic tools they need to do their schoolwork from home, but we can make a difference.
Every other Saturday, Compudopt goes into a designated community and aims to pass out 300 devices for each distribution. Families can register here to enter the lottery for a chance to receive a device. This year, more than 19 computer distributions have been hosted in Houston, providing over 6,000 refurbished devices to families who do not own a computer.
Aside from providing devices, Compudopt offers curriculum-based after-school technology education classes to grade school children to prepare them for the 21st-century workforce primarily steeped in technology. In addition to servicing children, they offer Digital Skill Builders classes for adult learners looking to increase their technology skill set.
These programs have served 756 students between 1st through 12th grade and 258 adult learners, increasing their access to technology and confidence in utilizing it. When families have access to a device, the education gap closes, medical needs are met, and one has access to a higher quality of life.
How you can help bridge the divide
You or your company can help by volunteering, donating money or donating any laptops/desktops/monitors that are less than 5 years old to Compudopt. Unused devices are wiped clean and refurbished to pass back into the community. You can find out more about how they wipe your device clean by viewing our FAQ page.
To donate a device, click here. To volunteer or make a monetary donation, click here.
Please be aware that this is a lottery and not a waitlist. Not everyone will get a computer, but it's best to be entered to win.
