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Comp-U-Dopt & CenterPoint Energy tackle growing technology gap by donating 400 free computers to those in need
DAYTON, OH
(Aug. 16, 2021) – Comp-U-Dopt, a nonprofit with a mission to provide technology access and education has allocated 400 free computers this year for underserved youth through a donation from CenterPoint Energy.
While the world continues to transition its day-to-day operations to online modalities, with education, business and health sectors pivoting to virtual learning, zoom meetings and telehealth, the demand for computers and adequate internet access continues to accelerate.
“This is a solvable problem, and it is critical that we continue to invest in initiatives that support giving students and families the tools they need to access additional resources,” says Megan Steckly, CEO for Comp-U-Dopt. “Donations like this demonstrate how solvable this issue really is for the community.”
According to a June 2021 Pew Research Institute, 41% of low-income families still lack access to a computer at home despite major efforts to close the device gap across the nation in 2020. With uncertainty around the Delta-variant, the need to ensure families have their own devices has never been more critical. Accessing distance learning, telehealth, paying bills online, and reaching other support services requires that communities continue to invest in initiatives that close the digital divide sustainably. Comp-U-Dopt’s approach ensures families have devices, technical support, and digital literacy at their fingertips.
“The technological divide for children and their families, especially low income families, is critical.” Says Richard Leger, vice president of natural gas distribution in Indiana and Ohio for CenterPoint Energy, “We want to ensure that our neighbors have the resources they need to be successful, and these devices are a step in the right direction.”
While 400 families will be served at this distribution, Comp-U-Dopt has distributed over 20,000 computers across their sites nationally to students without access to a device at home over the past twelve months. Most of these are distributed through their computer lottery which parents can register for on their website www.compudopt.org/dayton.
Comp-U-Dopt pulls lottery registrants randomly in advance of a distribution based on the inventory they have available. Selected families then rsvp for a date and time to pick up their computer at one of their distribution sites. Social distancing and safety protocols are maintained, and the device is placed in the family’s vehicle. Funded by CenterPoint Energy, the computers are given to families free of charge, include two years of free tech support, and Comp-U-Dopt also provides information on free and low-cost internet options that match family’s specific needs.
83% of computer recipients are living in households earning less than $50,000 annually with an average family size greater than 4 people.
About CenterPoint Energy
As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. As of June 30, 2021, the company owned approximately $36 billion in assets and also owned 53.7 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 9,500 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
Media Contacts:
Megan Steckly
CEO
Comp-U-Dopt
Phone: 281-572-0421
megan@compudopt.org
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