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PRESS RELEASE
City Youth Now — Laptop Computers for College Bound Youth in the Juvenile Court System
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — July 1, 2008 — Currently, in San Francisco alone, there are a 5,750 youth under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Juvenile Court System. Of these youth, approximately 290 of them will age out or emancipate out of the system this year. Only 38% of them will continue their education beyond high school or completion of their GED. With the odds stacked so high against them, City Youth Now is committed to providing funds and services to help these youth have a smoother, more successful transition to adulthood.
While City Youth Now has provided funds for books, registration, living expenses, college tours, apartment accessories, and education supplies for college bound youth in the juvenile court system for decades, City Youth Now will now be offering laptop computers to qualified foster and juvenile probation youth. In the technology age in which we live a computer is no longer optional when it comes to academic success — it is mandatory.
City Youth Now’s new partnership with Redemtech, Tech Connect, and ILSP as well as a generous grant from The John Burton Foundation has made it possible to provide aging out, college bound youth in the system with a laptop computer to give these youth an important tool to point them towards success. This program will provide free refurbished laptops to selected foster care and juvenile probation youth. The youth are required to be college bound, enrolled in college or attending a certified vocational school. The selected youth will receive training in Internet safety and responsibility and in the technical skills required to find a job and further their education through Tech Connect.
About City Youth Now:
Founded in 1950, City Youth Now is a nonprofit organization that addresses the needs of youth under the jurisdiction of San Francisco's Juvenile Court — including youth in the foster care and/or delinquency systems. Probation officers, social workers, attorneys, and others make grant requests for youth under their supervision. City Youth Now grants range from clothing for a youth who is leaving Juvenile Hall, to tutoring or music lessons for a child in foster care. www.cityyouthnow.org
About Redemtech
Redemtech provides Technology Change Management services to businesses to handle their technology deployment, reutilization, remarketing and retirement. Redemtech creates an efficient channel for used computers stockpiled in corporate enterprises to reach needy schools, nonprofits and charities across the globe — thereby benefiting the environment as well by giving new life to computers that may otherwise be destined for disposal. www.redemtech.com
About TechConnect
Department of Telecommunications and Information Systems, City and County of San Francisco www.sfgov.org/techconnect/digital_inclusion
TechConnect is a citywide initiative to address the technology needs of San Francisco's underserved communities. The TechConnect Digital Inclusion programs provide ways for San Franciscans to access the Internet, to more easily obtain a computer for their home, and the training and support needed to use technology to better their lives.
About Independent Living Skills Program
Human Services Agency, City and County of San Francisco
The Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) helps foster youth ages 14 to 21 years old living in San Francisco to develop the skills needed to live successfully once they leave the foster care system. Participation is voluntary. ILSP offers support in areas including self-esteem building, college preparation, mentoring, tutoring, computer skills training, life skills workshops, case management, referrals for housing, assistance with living expenses and educational stipends. www.sfhsa.org
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Press Contact:
Brittany Heinrich
Executive Director
City Youth Now
brittany@cityyouthnow.org
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