August 6, 2009
Media Contact: Jenn Meale
Phone: (850) 245-0150
Attorney General's Office Donates Computers to At-Risk Youth
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced his office is donating 25 computers to the Go Beyond Foundation to be used in promoting technology education and enhancement opportunities to at-risk students. The computers will be used as incentive tools for young men involved in the Leon County School District’s Booker T. Washington Success Academy.
“It is imperative our young people are provided every opportunity to succeed academically and experience a sense of achievement,” said Attorney General McCollum. “I am proud of our involvement in this program that encourages at-risk youth to excel in the classroom, and I urge other community groups to likewise become involved.”
The Booker T. Washington Success Academy is a curriculum targeted toward young under achieving males who have repeated at least one grade and have other challenges that potentially hinder them from graduating high school. The program focuses on providing these selected young men opportunities to enhance their educational and marketable skills while building their character and self-esteem and encouraging them to graduate. In the 2008-2009 school year, the program was in nine schools throughout Leon County with 120 participants.
“The Booker T. Washington Success Academy is an important tool in helping provide at-risk students the opportunity to succeed,” said Jackie Pons, Superintendent of Leon County Schools. “I appreciate Attorney General McCollum’s commitment to these young people and his office’s generous donation to this program.”
The computers were accepted by the Go Beyond Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting leadership and programs that improve access to advanced technology and technical education experiences by providing enhanced educational opportunities. The Foundation helps manage and sustain all related organizational aspects of the Booker T. Washington Success Academy.
“We thank Attorney General McCollum for his support and for making the Booker T. Washington Success Academy a priority,” said Allan Stamm, director of the Go Beyond Foundation. “His recognition and commitment as a community support partner enables the Go Beyond Foundation to establish green computing programs and provide refurbished computers to at-risk kids in need, helping to narrow the academic achievement gap.”
The computers donated by the Attorney General’s Office will be given to students who show improvement in the classroom while demonstrating the principles and values promoted in the program. The Capital City Rotary Club of Tallahassee donated $25 per computer to cover the cost of the refurbishment of software licenses for the donated computers.