Nationwide Computer Donation and Recycling To Help Narrow the Digital Divide in the Latino Community
August 7, 2012
Contact: Paloma Zuleta, pzuleta@lulac.org, (202) 812-4477
Washington, DC - Redemtech announced the donation of 200 computers to LULAC employment, training and regional centers that work to provide counseling services, job skills and literacy training to students, parents, and low income individuals throughout the United States. Companies interested in donating PC’s to the campaign can visit www.redemtech.com/C2Cdrive.
LULAC is proud to be part of the C2C coalition as a grassroots partner to help close the digital divide. LULAC is also a leader in other broadband adoption programs such as Digital Connectors and Internet Essentials, a program to expand broadband adoption among low-income households with at least one child receiving free or reduced price school lunches.
“Broadband adoption by the Latino community is key to advancing America’s competitiveness,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “Studies have shown that students who have access to a computer at home have six to eight percentage points higher graduation rates than similar students who don’t have home access to the Internet. Studies have also shown that broadband adoption efforts have resulted in increased test scores. By increasing computer and broadband access, we not only remove a barrier to broadband adoption but we also increase opportunity in our community.”
Nearly 60% of low-income households do not have a desktop or laptop computer and 36% of Americans without broadband cite the cost of a computer as a major barrier to adoption. Among Latinos, about 50% have a broadband connection, compared with nearly 70% of the general population. One-third of Americans – 100 million people – haven’t adopted broadband at home.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.