Tech the Halls Spreads Holiday Cheer to 15 South Bay Families

Not only is it the season of giving, but also the season of believing. Today, Computers 2 Kids, San Diego partnered with Border View Family YMCA and Cox Communications to host a “Tech the Halls” distribution event to provide 15 hard-working teens from San Ysidro High School and their families free tech devices just in time for the holidays.

“This event is so meaningful - seeing teens and their families ready to tackle the New Year with their tech gear is what the holiday season is all about,” said Gaby Millan, executive director for the Border View Family YMCA. “We’re always proud to partner with Computers 2 Kids, San Diego and Cox Communications to give back to these deserving families. With 13.5 percent of our community living in poverty, the Border View Y works to prepare our high school students to reach their full potential.”

In only two hours, Computers 2 Kids, San Diego distributed 16 laptops, seven tablets, nine Netbooks and 15 desktops at the event. Some of the families present participate in Cox Communications’ Connect2Compete program, which Cox piloted in San Diego in 2012 with local schools and organizations, including Computers 2 Kids, San Diego to help bridge the “digital divide” and help give students a leg up for high school graduation. The families at Tech the Halls were pre-selected from Border View Family YMCA’s College Readiness Program.

Launched in February 2019, the program strives to improve college access and college readiness for the Advancement Via Individual Determination students, or AVID program at San Ysidro High School. The ultimate goal of the program is to help AVID students believe in their potential and develop great study habits, build confidence and prepare them to succeed in college and beyond. In 2018, the pilot program had 80 students take an ACT diagnostics test to begin their journey in the college readiness program. The overall test results showed an increase by 25 percent in English scores and a 38 percent increase in math scores. This growth is equivalent to a 5-point increase on the ACT or a 190-point increase on the SAT.

In addition to community support, Border View Family YMCA’s College Readiness Program was made possible in partnership with Winward Academy, an award-winning learning program that uses an interactive teaching approach with engaging video lessons to simulate an in-person tutoring experience.

Over a dozen San Ysidro High School students and their families filled Border Family YMCA’s gymnasium excited to receive their technology devices that will assist them through the rest of their high school careers into college and beyond. “Now I’ll be able to do my homework at home and instead of the school library,” says Dania Alvarez, a junior at San Ysidro High School. “The devices not only help me with my schoolwork and to prepare for my first year of college, but also relieves my family especially during this time of year.”

Additional families who wish to apply for technology assistance can connect with Computers 2 Kids, San Diego (http://c2sdk.org/tech-assistance/). Donations are welcome, but should be dropped off at the Computers 2 Kids, San Diego center directly (http://c2sdk.org/contact/). See below for details.

About Computers 2 Kids, San Diego
Since 2004, Computers 2 Kids, San Diego (C2K) has impacted more than 408,000 children and their families in San Diego. With the support of technology donations, the organization refurbishes computer systems and loads them with up-to-date operating systems, software and educational programs, and provides them to underprivileged families around San Diego County. Above all, C2K believes all children and their families, regardless of their economic status, need to be computer literate and have equal access to technology. Additionally, C2K also provides education, training and technical support to help students achieve success. Connect with C2K at (858) 200-9788 or on Facebook, Twitter and at www.c2sdk.org.

About the YMCA of San Diego County
The YMCA of San Diego County is the largest Y association in the nation, serving nearly 500,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 5,500 people. Through a variety of programs and services focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y unites men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body. Visit www.ymca.org to find your local YMCA or call (858) 292-YMCA (9622).

About Cox Communications:
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.