News Release

May 26, 2004

Computer for Families reaches goal of 680 computers

In partnership with 89 teachers at 22 schools,
Computers for Families bridges the digital divide for 680 families.

Computers for Families, a joint project of Santa Barbara Partners in Education and the Santa Barbara County Education Office, reached its 2003-04 goal of providing 680 low- and moderate-income families with refurbished computers, Internet access, and training. This achievement was made possible by the active partnership of 89 teachers and the full support of principals at 22 schools in the Carpinteria Unified, Goleta Union, Hope, Santa Barbara, and Solvang School Districts.

In recognition of participating teachers and principals, Computers for Families will be hosting its fifth annual Teacher Appreciation Dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2 at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center. The dinner is sponsored by Partners in Education members ABC-CLIO, Coldwell Banker, Four Seasons Biltmore, Pacific Coast Business Times, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara Independent, and the Santa Barbara News-Press.

County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone noted that the project’s tremendous impact is evident in the feedback received directly from students. “Students are using their computers for research and for communicating with their teachers, relatives and friends,” he said. “ I have repeatedly heard that students are teaching their parents how to use the computers. This is particularly important because it increases parent involvement in education. Also, it enables students to see that what they learn in school is directly related to life in their broader community. This understanding is a key factor in educational achievement.”

Partners in Education board member and Computers for Families Advisory Committee Chair Ed Heron recognizes that Computers for Families’ effectiveness is due to the efforts of principals and teachers, together with the support of the local business community. “Teachers volunteer their time bringing technology to families in their homes and into classroom learning, and the greater Santa Barbara community supports these efforts by contributing a wide-range of goods and services,” he said. “To name just a few, Cox Communications, Inc. provides low-cost high-speed Internet access. Hundreds of donated computers are stored by Bermant Development Company, Raytheon, Mentor Corporation, Venoco, and MarBorg Industries. The Four Seasons Biltmore provides a ‘dinner-for-two’ as a thank-you to every teacher. I also want to personally thank every member of the community who has donated a computer for refurbishment. What a difference you have made in the lives and futures of children in our community.”

Further information on Computers for Families or the Teacher Appreciation Dinner, is available by contacting Project Administrator Mike Mullin at 964-4711, ext. 5400, or mike@sbcff.org.