Delivering on its ongoing mission to address the disparity in technology and education access, The Loyalty Foundation returns to Birmingham, Al with an additional 200 computers and online education
Birmingham, Alabama – September 14, 2021 – The Loyalty Foundation, a New York based not for profit entity returns to Alabama’s Jefferson County to provide 200 additional computers to students in underserved communities in the region. County Commissioner Sheila Tyson and her office are working with The Loyalty Foundation to bridge the digital divide that has grown even wider since the impact of Covid-19 and the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
The Loyalty Foundation began working with Commissioner Tyson and DC BLOX, an Atlanta based data center provider located in Birmingham, last year to address the needs of students without devices during the height of the pandemic and are returning with more resources as the Delta variant continues to make in person education a challenge.
“After meeting Commissioner Tyson and learning of the deep need in Jefferson County, we moved quickly last September, 2020 with an initial delivery of computers to Jefferson County kids. A year later, the problem still exists and we still have a lot of work to do. Fortunately, as our funding has increased, including a grant from Commissioner Tyson’s Office, we are now able to more than double our efforts and offer our online educational program” says Neeman.
“The Jefferson County Commission has continued to address issues with access to learning during the pandemic,” said District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson. “In addition to these computers, the Commission gave $4.6 million in CARES Act funding to the Jefferson County School System to help with access to wi-fi back in November. And, we are hoping to be able to do more with federal American Rescue Plan funds once we have final guidance from the Treasury. We appreciate all of our partners – especially the Loyalty Foundation who has worked so hard with us.”
All funds raised by the Loyalty Foundation’s Devices4All® program are earmarked for the purchase of computers needed to support the continuation of educational and therapeutic services for children with limited access to resources and opportunity. The Loyalty Foundation is hoping to grow the program with additional corporate partnerships and matching programs to further narrow the digital divide and make an important difference in the lives of underserved children and their families.
Neeman adds, “Access to technology and education is the greatest opportunity equalizer of today and the future. Without that foundation, we will not be able to create the better, fairer, and more just society we want to see.”
“Meeting the needs of our local communities is a shared responsibility and DC BLOX is glad to support the great work of the Loyalty Foundation to increase educational opportunities through technology in Birmingham,” states Jeff Uphues, CEO of DC BLOX.
About The Loyalty Foundation
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The Loyalty Foundation is a not for profit organization that provides funding and programming for STEM and Technology-based educational opportunities to underserved K-12 youth populations. Founded by David Neeman in New York City, The Loyalty Foundation was created to attack the disparity between those who have access to opportunities and those who do not. The Loyalty Foundation considers technology to be the great opportunity equalizer of the future. Educational opportunity creates pathways for positive change and rising futures. The Loyalty Foundation develops technology education, programming and provides funding and resources to ignite positive change in communities. Learn more and donate to The Loyalty Foundation initiatives here.
About Jefferson County
Founded in 1819, Jefferson County is Alabama’s most populated county with more than 660,000 residents. The County is governed by five commissioners elected from specific districts. Detailed information on those districts and services provided by Jefferson County can be found at www.jccal.org.
About DC BLOX
DC BLOX owns and operates interconnected multi-tenant data centers that deliver the infrastructure and connectivity essential to power today’s digital business. DC BLOX’s private network fabric and robust connectivity ecosystem enable access to built in carriers, internet exchanges, public cloud providers and DC BLOX data centers to businesses across the Southeast. DC BLOX’s data centers are located in Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Huntsville, AL, High Point, NC; Chattanooga, TN; and soon in Greenville, SC. For more information, please visit www.dcblox.com.
Media Contact:
For The Loyalty Foundation
Sandra de Novellis, Evolve Strategic Communications
sdenovellis@evolvestratcomm.com
631-235-4625
For Jefferson County
Helen Hays, Director, Public Information
haysh@jccal.org
(205) 731-2891