BRONX (WABC) — Dozens of laptop computers were given away on Thursday in the Bronx to students who don’t already have one.<\/p>\n
The goal is to help bridge the digital divide.<\/p>\n
Whether they’re learning career skills or a hobby, many of the young people taking classes like woodworking and fashion at the Bronx Community Justice Center<\/a> are out of high school and figuring out what’s next.<\/p>\n 22-year old Kendell says it’s time to apply to college and take some writing classes.<\/p>\n “It’s been a lot going on, for real, so I haven’t really thought about getting in the school again, but I feel like I should be back in the school, because I actually want to write a book,” aspiring writer Kendell Reliford said.<\/p>\n Reliford was one of 50 recipients of free Chromebooks at the center, thanks to a nonprofit called The Loyalty Foundation<\/a>, founded by a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney.<\/p>\n “It’s really imperative that we go to the place where the kids are, where they have the opportunities to excel and provide them with the absolutely necessary tool which is the computer,” Founder of the Loyalty Foundation David Neeman said.<\/p>\n “It’s been frustrating. I can’t create my own resume. I don’t have the resources to do that in my home. And I want to go job-finding. And now I have that laptop. I can use that to create a resume,” 20-year-old Anthony Garland said who is currently job hunting.<\/p>\n “This was an essential puzzle piece that was missing from the bigger picture of what the young people needed,” Project Director of the Bronx Community Justice Center Deymis Vaquero said.<\/p>\n Several recipients are in the center’s GED classes.<\/p>\n “I’ll study on my phone, but it is too difficult on the phone,” Davine Chandler, who is studying for the GED exam said.<\/p>\n Another student also takes a music production class the center offers, something else the chromebooks will come in handy for.<\/p>\n 24-year old Carlos is looking forward to songwriting and creating at home.<\/p>\n “And gonna be better, because I’m by myself and probably feel more comfortable,” Carlos Sanchez said.<\/p>\n “And they have the ambition, they have the desire and they have the focus. And it’s really just trying to pair them with the right tools that will help them to succeed in the future,” Neeman said.<\/p>\n The Loyalty Foundation says this community center was a perfect candidate for its free laptops because it provides a safe, educational space for young people.<\/p>\n The refurbished Chromebooks they were able to take home today came from a generous corporate donor.<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * Follow us on YouTube<\/a> <\/p>\n * More local news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n