Minneapolis, MN, 2016-Mar-28 — /EPR Retail News/ — Best Buy is bolstering its efforts this year to reduce the nation’s technology gap by giving grants to national nonprofit partners and participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) ConnectHome initiative.
“For 50 years, Best Buy has been a catalyst in the rise of technology as a means to improve virtually every aspect of our lives,” said Susan Bass Roberts, senior director of Community Relations, Diversity & Inclusion at Best Buy. “We are committed to giving underserved youth access to the tech training and tools they need to further their education and careers. Together, we believe we can help nurture and inspire a new generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, designers, artists and dreamers.”
Seven new national nonprofit receive grants
Each year Best Buy gives grants to national nonprofit partners who provide educational resources to foster success in a world filled with technology. This year, Best Buy has partnered with seven new organizations, bringing its national partnerships total to 16.
Our new partners include BDPA, Cyber Seniors, DePaul University/Digital Youth Network, EveryoneOn, Games for Change, Hispanic Heritage Foundation and LRNG. These organizations focus on narrowing the digital divide by providing tech opportunities for underprivileged teens and youth; teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); closing the generational technology gap, or building an online platform open to all youth.
Returning national partners include After-School All-Stars, Common Sense Media,Dreaming Tree Foundation, FIRST, GRAMMY Foundation, Mouse, Science Buddies,The Clubhouse Network and Youth Radio.
Hundreds of families will receive training via Best Buy’s HUD ConnectHome participation
Best Buy will continue to support ConnectHome, a new national initiative to help children and families living in HUD-assisted housing.
As part of the HUD partnership, Best Buy will provide free digital literacy training and Geek Squad Academy courses to teens in public housing in more than 20 cities. Teen Tech Centers will be used as training and distribution locations for ConnectHome families receiving devices and Internet services.
For more information about Best Buy’s 2016 community programs, partnerships and tech education initiatives, click here.
SOURCE: Best Buy
