FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 17, 2005
Media Contact:
Rhonda Carpenter
Corporate Communications Specialist
727-461-2990
rhondac@eckerd.org
Boeing Reaches out to Brevard Children Through Computer Program
COCOA, Fla. –
The donation program, Computers 4 Kidz, which is managed by Eckerd Youth Alternatives’ (EYA) “Hi-Five” Early Intervention and Prevention Program in Brevard County, provides computers with educational materials to do homework, research and reports to families who would otherwise be unable to have one.
Hi-Five, operated by EYA, teaches conflict resolution, problem solving, anger management and other life skills to fourth- and fifth-grade students.
“Many of these kids and their families can’t afford computers,” said Richard Rogers, Hi-Five’s supervisor. “The lack of educational resources at home can contribute to poor academic performance in school. Computers 4 Kidz helps to promote learning and prevent negative problems.”
One computer recipient is Olivia Myles, a fourth grader at Sherwood Elementary. She is very excited to receive a free computer, as was her family, and “could not wait to see what she would bring home.” Prior to the giveaway, she only had computer access at school.
“It’s big and has lots of cool games,” Olivia said about her computer. Her favorite game is “Flip the M’s,” which helps with her math skills. Olivia is not the only one in her family spending time on the computer either; her 13-year-old brother is also using it to help him increase his skills in different academic areas.
The computers were given to students of three local elementary schools: Sherwood Elementary in Melbourne, Endeavour Elementary in Cocoa and Riverview Elementary in Titusville.
Computers 4 Kidz has also helped other organizations throughout Brevard create computer labs for kids to access. These organizations are Travis Park in Cocoa, Brevard County Youth Center, and the Boys and Girls Club in Mims.
If you would like to donate a computer, please call 800-222-1473, ext. 204. To learn more about the Computers 4 Kidz program, please visit the Web site at www.cfkidz.com. To learn more about Eckerd Youth Alternatives, please visit our Web site at www.eckerd.org.
About Eckerd Youth Alternatives
Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA) is one of the nation' s leading providers of services for at-risk and troubled youth. As a private not-for-profit organization, EYA serves more than 9,000 youth each year. Since 1968, more than 69,000 young people have been helped through a range of 40 residential and community-based programs: outdoor therapeutic treatment, juvenile justice, ReEntry programs, youth foster care, and early intervention and prevention services, called " Hi-Five."
Headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., Eckerd Youth Alternatives has 1,400 caring employees and services in eight states: Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
Brevard County' s Hi-Five Early Intervention and Prevention Program was established in 1997; participating schools include Endeavour Elementary, Riverview Elementary and Sherwood Elementary.
EYA also provides early intervention and prevention programs in four additional counties in Florida. These programs teach elementary school students empathy, impulse control, how to make correct choices and how to deal with negative peer pressure. This results in a reduction in school dropout, appropriate non-violent behavior and a decrease in juvenile delinquency.