Inspriredu
Led by CEO Richard Hicks, Inspiredu inherits the history, tradition, and passion of the Greater Atlanta Regional team and continues its programs and partnerships with schools, districts, and other non-profit organizations in metro Atlanta. Founded in 2007, Inspiredu seeks to support education equity with its commitment to youth and their families, through training, device distribution, and technology career development.
Inspiredu’s mission is to help underserved youth develop skills needed for education and career success through technology‐based learning tools and engagement activities with their families, communities, and schools. They do so by providing them:
- A home computer with wrap-around programming—including educational software, training, and technical support which could help families create more robust learning environments at home
- Opportunities to support the STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics) pipeline by helping students build skills and explore careers in technology
- Digital literacy courses for the most vulnerable parents, caregivers, and community members of the schools they serve
To date, they have connected with over 44 education partners, have trained 25,000 individuals, and deployed nearly 14,000 home computers.
Vibha`s support has helped Inspiredu close the digital divide in Atlanta`s high need communities.
You can read more about Inspiredu by visiting their website at https://www.iuatl.org/
School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA)
School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA) was founded in 2004 by Cheryl Opper- a teacher and child advocate. Their mission is to support the academic, social, and emotional growth of students impacted by homelessness.
The pandemic has increased the urgency of their cause, for many of the students they serve rely on the stability and routine of school more than education. During this academic year alone, SOWMA has paired more than 250 students in grade K – 12 with a personal tutor, supported 56 college students, and has provided more than 6,000 students with customized backpacks and other educational supplies.
Vibha’s funding of $3000 during this time of the pandemic will help School on Wheels be prepared to resume their mission, educational support, and interaction with the children as soon as the restrictions due to the pandemic are lifted. The fund will be utilized for a technology drive that will run from the very end of July through early September. This drive will be a request for funding (match) that will be solely used to purchase technology, necessary to continue their tutoring program in homeless shelters remotely, as restrictions remain due to the COVID19 pandemic.
You can read more about SOWMA by visiting their website at https://www.sowma.org/
Communities in Schools of Chicago
Communities in Schools (CIS) of Chicago is a dropout prevention organization that works with K–12 public school students who are at higher risk of falling off the track. They provide direct social, emotional, and case management support and connect low-income students to a wealth of community resources that bolster them on the path to high school graduation. This year, they are partnering with 175 Chicago public schools and will reach more than 50,000 students.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CIS has adapted its programs to support its students and school partners. This provides program continuity in a virtual setting to reach students; coordinating resources and hosting virtual gatherings for community partners, schools, and administrators; and expanding social as well as emotional support for students and their parents.
Vibha is very proud of being able to support CIS’s efforts during this time of the pandemic by funding $5,000 in support of their technology needs, helping them to provide their staff with the updated equipment needed to ensure engagement continuity with Chicago public school students. Jane Mentzinger, Chief Executive Officer, Communities in Schools of Chicago, expressed her gratitude, saying; “My deep and sincere thanks and appreciation for Vibha’s support for Communities in Schools of Chicago. Our technology needs are growing by the minute. Vibha’s contribution will help ensure that we can serve our students even better now and throughout the school.
You can read more about Communities in Schools of Chicago by visiting their website at www.cisofchicago.org