COMPUDOPT, SANTANDER CONSUMER USA INC. FOUNDATION BRING FREE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY TO FIVE THOUSAND DALLAS RESIDENTS

The milestone connection was made as part of a $7 million investment to close the digital divide in Dallas

DALLAS (Aug. 10, 2023) – Compudopt, a national nonprofit providing technology access and education to under-resourced youth and their communities, in partnership with Santander Consumer USA Inc. Foundation, recently celebrated connecting five thousand Dallas community members to free internet.

The milestone moment is part of a national, $35 million initiative driven by the Santander Consumer Foundation and Compudopt to close the digital divide across the U.S. by providing connectivity, devices and digital training to communities in need. The initiative was launched in Dallas in Jan. 2022 with a multi-year, $7 million investment targeted at student households below 200% of the federal poverty level in the city’s southern sector to deliver:

• Free high-speed internet for up to 10,000 student households
• Free warrantied computers for 7,500 student households, including multi-lingual help desk support
• Free education and training to boost student and caregiver digital skills offered to 24,300 residents
• Free after school workforce-aligned technology enrichment education for 300 youth

“Compudopt sees a future where every family is equipped with the infrastructure, resources and development to thrive in today’s digital age,” said Megan Steckly, CEO of Compudopt. “We’re grateful to have a partner like Santander Consumer that is equally invested in solving today’s challenges for a more connected tomorrow, and we’re so proud to celebrate this milestone moment together in the city of Dallas.”

To mark the achievement, Compudopt hosted a community event where local leaders, elected officials and families enjoyed festivities and were connected to additional resources. As part of the event, Compudopt distributed 66 free computers, equipped with educational programming and digital training resources. Click here to view and download photos, videos and interviews from the celebration.

“More than 14 million U.S. households lack access to reliable technology and internet at home, which adds an unnecessary burden to daily responsibilities like schoolwork, paying bills, scheduling medical appointments and more to millions of families. This is the reality for a significant portion of our Dallas community, but that’s quickly changing,” said Christopher Pfirrman, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, Santander Consumer and Santander Consumer Foundation Board Chair. “The connection of 5,000 Dallas residents is a reminder that we are moving forward and changing lives. We’re thrilled to be part of that movement.”

Building on the 5,000 community members impacted through their connectivity services, Compudopt hopes to provide free connectivity support services to 40,000 people across the Dallas region over the next two years as part of this transformational partnership. Student households interested in participating in the program or organizations interested in supporting Compudopt’s mission through device donation, volunteer engagement or financial contributions can learn more and get involved at www.compudopt.org/dallas.

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About Compudopt
Compudopt is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to provide technology access and education to under-resourced youth and their communities. Founded in 2007, Compudopt has provided device access, training, and support to tens of thousands of individuals across the country. Compudopt operates in 40 cities and 19 states across the US.

About Santander Consumer USA

Santander Consumer USA Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance, third-party servicing and delivering superior service to our more than three million customers across the full credit spectrum. Santander Consumer, which began originating retail installment contracts in 1997, had an average managed asset portfolio of approximately $63 billion for FY 2022. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Santander Holdings USA, Inc., and is part of Madrid, Spain-based global banking leader Banco Santander. For more information about Santander Consumer USA, please visit www.santanderconsumerusa.com.

Media Contacts
Karna McCasland

Three Box on behalf of Compudopt

P: 214 635 3026

E: kmccasland@threebox.com  

Cristina Martinez

Head of Communications, Santander Auto & SC

E: media@santanderconsumerusa.com