More kids who have aged out of government care will have access to free laptops for their post-secondary education this year thanks to a Burnaby-based non-profit.
The BC Technology for Learning Society is making 500 refurbished laptops available to former foster kids receiving the Ministry of Children and Family Development's tuition waiver.
Youth who are eligible for the waiver often don’t have money for a laptop and have to rely on libraries and other facilities with time limits to complete their assignments, according to the society.
"They get free education through the province, but they don't have the device," executive director Mary-Em Waddington told the Burnaby NOW. "This is going to help them to grow with their education and their future development."
BC Technology for Learning, at 6741 Cariboo Rd., collects donated computers, laptops and other tech; refurbishes them; and gives them to kids across B.C. who need them through the Computers for Schools program.
It's not the first time the non-profit has also provided free computers to former kids in care pursuing post-secondary education, but those efforts have been "ad hoc" until now, according to Waddington.
She said the non-profit has only distributed about 50 computers to former youth in care in the last four years.
While BC Technology for Learning has historically relied on donations of used tech equipment, Waddington said the organization was able to buy the 500 used laptops from the provincial government with funds left over from a Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction program during COVID-19.
Starting in 2021, the non-profit had been given pandemic relief funding to buy new laptops for people re-training for new jobs.
"We didn't spend all the money, so I suggested we purchase some more equipment, some more laptops and distribute those to these kids in care," Waddington said.
BC Technology for Learning has now reached out to financial aid officers at 25 post-secondary institutions, who will distribute them.
"BC Technology for Learning Society aims to close the digital divide by ensuring that technology is available to all," stated a news release Thursday.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on X/Twitter @CorNaylor
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