A nonprofit group that focuses on connecting tech with students who need it is partnering with several organizations to provide refurbished computers to 2020 CPS high school graduates.
A lottery run by Comp-U-Dopt is open to all 2020 graduates of Chicago Public Schools high schools who currently don’t have a computer. The hope is to offer technology to graduates who need a computer to prepare for college or trade school, to search for employment, or prepare for a different opportunity. Other organizations such as Austin Coming Together are co-sponsoring the effort.
Comp-U-Dopt was founded in 2007 to broaden children’s education. As its website explains, the founder “realized that the life cycle of a computer in a corporate environment is typically less than three years. Usually sent to landfill or shelved, these lightly used tools can become a dream come true for a young learner ready to broaden their skills and knowledge, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate good environmental stewardship by our partner organizations.” Comp-U-Dopt also sponsors computer training to steer students into computer careers.
The laptop lottery, developed in part as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be held every Friday at noon Central time. Students can register at this link. Students need to register only once; if their name is not chosen, they will still be in the mix for the following week. Only one computer winner per family will be chosen, and winners will be notified by email and/or text message. There are a limited number of computers available, so not every entrant will receive a computer.
All computers are Wi-Fi enabled. Comp-U-Dopt also will provide information about how to access free internet services when students pick up computers.
Comp-U-Dopt estimates it will have approximately 60 computers to give out each Friday. People willing to donate used computers can do so by registering at this link.
