News, Schools, Youth

Education Foundation's Tech4Success Program Receives Grant From Kiwanis

Posted Jul. 27, 2012, 3:30 am

Mirror Staff

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica earlier this month gave a $2,500 grant to the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation's Tech4Success program to be used toward funding laptops for seniors in the AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination) program upon graduation in 2013.

All AVID students are first-generation, college-bound students from socio-economically

disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tech4Success supplements the AVID curriculum by training

students to make better use of computer resources. Education Foundation volunteers present

five technology workshops to the AVID students, aimed at improving their skills with Microsoft

Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Google Docs so that they can be successful in college and

beyond. Since 2007, Tech4Success has supported 11th and 12th grade AVID students.

In addition to the workshops, Tech4Success offers AVID seniors the opportunity to apply for a free laptop computer to take to college so that they remain competitive with their college peers.

Every year, about two-thirds of the students apply for a computer. The application process is

thorough and includes an essay, interviews and teacher recommendations.

In June 2012, every applicant received a laptop during a special ceremony for the students and their parents.

“We are so grateful for the Kiwanis Club’s contribution to the Tech4Success program,” said

Rachel Faulkner, SMMEF Program Director. “These laptops give students an advantage as

they start college that they wouldn’t have otherwise. It is wonderful that the Kiwanis Club is

dedicated to providing for its community in this way.”

The Education Foundation provides laptops to approximately 18 students every year. The

Kiwanis Club’s grant of $2,500 is a significant contribution toward the cost. The Ed Foundation secures additional donations from businesses and individuals to cover the annual costs.