Who We Are - Overview

29 November 2000
Santa Arrives Early for 15 East County Students
Teens Present Policy Recommendations at Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking

What:
Fifteen students from Cajon Valley Middle School and their families receive free personal computers donated by area companies and organizations.

Students and their relatives get hands-on training in their very own refurbished computers provided to Computers for Kids by entities such as El Cajon Police Department, Communities Against Substance Abuse, Helix Water District, and the Border Patrol, among others.

Program officials are also looking for community volunteers to refurbish the more than 300 computers they have in storage waiting to be fixed.

Why:

	Students come from low-income families and are not able to afford a computer of their own.
	Computers help children academically, by improving the quality of their schoolwork.
	Family members also become involved in the learning process.
	Academic success reduces the likelihood of young people using alcohol and drugs and becoming involved in other negative activities.

When:
Friday, December 1, 2000, 4:00 PM

Where:
Cajon Valley Middle School (Auditorium)
395 Ballantyne, El Cajon
(Take I-8 East; exit South on Magnolia, Left on Park, Left on Ballantyne)

Background:
For the last four years, Computer for Kids, a program established by the East County Latino Association, has given away nearly 300 computers to students in East County. To qualify for the program, students must submit an essay stating how a computer will help them with their schoolwork. The students and their accompanying relatives must participate in an hour-long training to familiarize themselves with their computer.

Note:
Students, parents, program and school representatives will be available for interviews before and after computer give-away.