#LoveUp Your #Laptop
• Our Premiere-syndicated pals Johnjay and Rich and their #LoveUp Foundation teamed up with the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) to surprise a group of graduating eighth-grade foster children, presenting them with brand new Chromebook laptop computers.
With a generous grant from the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club, #LoveUp purchased $22,000 worth of technology for this DCS pilot program called “Fostering Achievement through Computer Technology” (FACT), a partnership between DCS and community partners such as #LoveUP to provide technology and training to Arizona’s foster youth. The 100 laptops will be distributed this summer to foster children who have been nominated by their DCS case managers. The kids will be taught how to use their new laptops and also receive Internet Safety training provided by the Phoenix Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children unit.
“The #LoveUp Foundation is proud to continue our partnership with Arizona Department of Child Safety,” said foundation founder Johnjay Van Es. “Foster children deserve to have the same advantages as other kids. If we can help make this happen, we are serving our mission to the best of our abilities.” #LoveUp co-founder Rich Berra said, “This program is groundbreaking. Putting technology and training into the hands of these kids will pave the way for their education and their futures.”
Pictured from left to right: DCS Deputy Director Shalom Jacobs; Johnjay Van Es; foster kids posing with their sweet new laptops; Rich Berra; and DCS Director Greg McKay.
