D.R.E.A.M. Foundation Donates Laptops
Back (L to R)Waleek Boone, Student Life Specialist for the Transition Academy, George Briggs, Treasurer for the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation Board of Directors
Front (L to R) Alexis McLean, Interim Dean of Student Affairs, Beverly Slater, Executive Secretary for the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation Board of Directors
A local organization is helping the College close the digital divide. The Medgar Evers College Transition Academy (TA) received 20 new laptops from the Developing Restoring Enriching Advancing Many (D.R.E.A.M.) Foundation. The D.R.E.A.M. Foundation is a community-based philanthropic entity that provides a wide range of assistance and facilitates several supportive service programs. The laptops were provided after the Transition Academy submitted a proposal in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs, which focused on many students lack of access to a personal computer to complete assignments or communicate with their professors.
“I’ve seen students registered with the Transition Academy writing papers on their cell phones,” said Waleek Boone, Student Life Specialist for the Transition Academy.
In addition to the laptops, the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation donated 150 backpacks, which will provide students facing housing insecurity with a means to transport their personal belongings.
We are immensely grateful for the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation’s generosity. Dr. Alexis McLean, Interim Dean of Student Affairs added, Students without a personal computer are often forced to remain on campus for extended periods of time-something that presents a particular challenge for those who are living in shelters that enforce a strict curfew policy. Both the laptops and backpacks have enabled us to diversify how we serve the College’s most vulnerable population.
The Transition Academy provides housing or food insecure students with emergency food vouchers, access to an on-campus food pantry, clothing, New York City (NYC) Metro Cards, and help finding shelter in Brooklyn.
The Transition Academy is located in Room 307 in the Carroll Street Building. For more information, please call 718-804-8269 or send an email to TransitionAcademy@mec.cuny.edu.
