On Saturday, May 07, 2011, The Parris Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization devoted to fostering awareness and providing access to resources for underserved youth in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, is pleased to partner with Per Scholas, the Bronx based non-profit, which provides computers and training to low income children and families at the lowest possible cost.
The training workshops and computer distribution will take place at Per Scholas, 804 E. 138th Street in the Bronx, from 10:00 a.m. – 03:30 p.m tomorrow. The workshops will focus on PowerPoint Presentation beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by rotations throughout the day until 02:50 p.m. The computer distribution portion of the program will take place at 03:00 p.m.
What makes tomorrow special is that these families will learn an important aspect of computer and online training and then be able to continue learning and growing together at home with their new computers. There has long been a public debate about how there is a digital divide, largely which adversely affects people of color who fall into the low income socioeconomic bracket. Together, Per Scholas and The Parris Foundation are working towards bridging this gap with programs such as Digital Families.
The Parris Foundation and Per Scholas will team up again on June 04, 2011 in Manhattan at PS 50 Vito Marcantonio, located at 433 E. 100th Street. Volunteers will provide one-on-one assistance to families and will serve as role models to students who may have an interest in technology.
About The Parris Foundation
The Parris Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)3 charitable organization founded by Tonya Parris, an African American technology executive on Wall Street. The New York City-based foundation is devoted to creating opportunities, providing scholarships, and forging mentoring relationships for youth who do not have access to the resources within the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The mission of The Parris Foundation is to provide alternative funding vehicles to underrepresented students seeking higher education in the STEM disciplines with a proven financial need; service distressed communities that provide educational advancement opportunities in STEM; collaborate with organizations focused on bridging the “digital divide” for the socio-economical disadvantaged; and expose adolescents, teenagers and young adults to opportunities in STEM through mentor programs and interactive discussions groups. For more information about The Parris Foundation, please visit here.
About Per Scholas
Founded in 1995, Per Scholas is a non-profit social venture dedicated to using technology to improve the lives of people in low-income communities. Operating out of locations in the South Bronx and Miami, our vocational training, computer distribution and recycling programs work together to empower children and help adults build living-wage careers. Per Scholas provides environmentally responsible recycling for computer equipment, the best of which is reconditioned and distributed to low-income families at the lowest possible price. Per Scholas is an environmentally responsible nonprofit organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing education, technology and economic opportunities to individuals, families and communities. For more information about Per Scholas, please visit here.
