Dell YouthConnect Supports Girlstart

Girlstart has been selected as a Dell YouthConnect recipient in the United States
Dell today announced a $3 million investment to expand its global giving program YouthConnect in the U.S. Twenty-four organizations based in the United States have been selected Dell Youth Connect recipients. More than 20,000 young people in Tennessee, California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, New-Hampshire and Florida will soon have access to state-of-the-art technology.

Girlstart is proud to have been chosen as one of the Dell YouthConnect recipients in the US. Dell YouthConnect is the company’s signature giving program designed to help bridge the gap between the technology “haves” and the “have-nots” by placing Dell technology into underserved communities and working with non-profit organizations to teach information and technology skills.

With Dell YouthConnect’s support, Girlstart will offer an intensive suite of scalable STEM education programs that provide technology access and STEM learning opportunities to K-12 girls, school communities, and families. Thanks to Dell YouthConnect, Girlstart will provide 5,000+ participants with access to technology and programs that build girls’ critical thinking skills, innovation and creativity, collaboration and communication skills, and basic technology literacy. Program activities include;

1. Girlstart After School: Girlstart After School is a high-impact intervention where we provide free, school- and community -based programming every week throughout the school year at high-need partner schools.

2. Girlstart Summer Camp: Girlstart Summer Camps are week-long technology and science programs, designed to provide intensive technology access and introduce participants to hands-on, experiential STEM activities.

3 Girlstart Summer Camp ‘To Go’ Expansion: In 2011 and 2012, Girlstart will bring our Summer Camp programming beyond the Girlstart STEM Center in Austin, offering camps in Dell locations across the country.

4. Public STEM Education: Girlstart’s Public STEM Programming represents a diverse framework of community science and technology learning opportunities that provide high-quality technology access, STEM programs, mentoring, and support to thousands of children and families annually.

“We are elated to be selected as a Dell YouthConnect grantee. With Dell YouthConnect’s support, Girlstart will be able to dramatically expand its programs in the Central Texas region, as well as providing high-quality STEM Summer Camp experiences to girls in communities across America. Thanks to Dell YouthConnect’s leadership and commitment, more girls, particularly at-risk girls, will gain high-quality STEM programming and access to Dell technology.
The impact of this gift will have a ripple effect for years to come,” said Tamara Hudgins, Girlstart’s Executive Director.

Dell will provide the organization with grant funding as well as its latest technology. As importantly, a local Dell Champion will manage the deployment and upkeep of Dell systems, and local team members will have the possibility to volunteer their time to support our needs.

To learn more about the Dell YouthConnect program, visit www.dell.com/youthconnect