OCA PROVIDES TECHNOLOGY TO STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Walmart Foundation grant eases access to online classes
for low-income families

Washington, D.C. - OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates has provided 100+ students living in Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Washington states with laptop computers through a technology grant from the Walmart Foundation. Students from low-income backgrounds are now able to use their new laptops to attend Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
 
Low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students are often the first in their families to attend college. Yet despite this milestone, these AAPI students rarely have access to reliable internet service or working computers at home, Without accessible laptops, AAPI students must rely on campus libraries, computer labs, and technology loaner programs to conduct research and complete class assignments. However, with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift from classroom to remote learning has adversely impacted many low-income AAPI students, making it even more difficult to find working computers for school. OCA’s initial outreach to AANAPISI colleges identified more than 4,000 financially-distressed AAPI students, across 25 college campuses, attempting to study without access to a computer. Students without computers often fall behind their peers who possess laptops at home.
 
“We’re proud to partner with the Walmart Foundation in providing critical resources to students to ensure they can complete their college education,” says Rita Pin Ahrens, Executive Director of OCA. “While OCA has been working to bridge the digital divide over the past few years, this pandemic has made this an urgent priority. We hope to continue to alleviate the stress our AAPI students are facing during these difficult times. These laptops will go a long way in empowering their success now and in the future.”
 
This is one of OCA’s many initiatives to help alleviate the strain on AAPI communities due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Messages from the laptop recipients:
 
Hawaii Community College:
 
“Aloha,
 
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for offering such a helpful and generous program during such uncertain times. Thank you for allowing me to be a recipient of the APAA laptop program I am extremely grateful for.
 
Mahalo,
Tyanna Aranaydo”
 
Bates Technical College:
 
“As a first-generation student, I understand how difficult it is to find ways to pay for educational expenses,” [said Practical Nursing Student Mike Valdez.] “I was shocked when I was notified that I won a laptop, but excited as well as it will be a great resource throughout my nursing program at Bates Technical College. I admire and support your organization’s mission to promote the social, political, and economic health of Asian Pacific Americans.”
 
“I am incredibly thankful to OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates for this generous donation, which helps ensure the current situation doesn’t upend these students’ studies,” said Bates Technical College President Dr. Lin Zhou. “Providing laptops is a tangible way we can make difference in their lives right now. As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts their learning, this donation provides the technology they need to be successful and keep moving forward toward their educational goals,” said Zhou.

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OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).