Compudopt, a national nonprofit providing technology access and education to under-resourced youth and their communities, announced its expansion to Mesa, Az., where it will work to close the digital divide. The organization is making impressions with the local community after it donated 150 refurbished computers to area graduates.

Greater than 80% of e-waste is sent to landfills producing 20 million pounds annually. Compudopt’s unique program model repairs and refurbishes these tools, keeping them out of landfill and giving them a second life with a young learner without access to technology at home. 

The nonprofit’s local presence is made possible in part by a $7 million donation from Santander Consumer USA and will be in partnership with the City of Mesa, Mesa Public Schools, and Motorola Solutions. The Santander Consumer USA contribution is funded through the Santander Consumer USA Inc. Foundation. 

To kick off its Mesa opening, Compudopt hosted a drive-through computer distribution event for high school seniors on May 24 at Santander Consumer. Mesa families interested in entering the lottery for future computer drives can visit www.compudopt.org/mesa to register at any time. 

Over the next two years, Compudopt and its community partners will:

• Provide 7,500 no-cost computers to eligible families

• Offer digital skill building to over 24,000 individuals

• Deliver workforce-aligned technology after-school education programs to 300 youth in Mesa and surrounding communities

• Help connect 10,000 households to free or low-cost internet through private broadband, provided by Motorola Solutions’ Nitro solution.

“As of 2021, more than 25,000 local households did not have an in-home computer. At Compudopt, we believe that access to technology is the foundation for education and economic mobility, so we’re thrilled to bring our work to Mesa,” said Megan Steckly, CEO of Compudopt. 

Currently, more than 14 million households across the U.S. lack access to reliable technology and internet at home, which has both immediate and sustained impact, with the COVID-19 pandemic widening this digital gap. Pew Research Center reports 59% of lower income parents say their child may face digital obstacles in schoolwork, including having to work from a cell phone, use public Wi-Fi or not complete work due to lack of resources.

Motorola Solutions’ Nitro solution will extend the city’s network into the homes of Mesa residents who do not have reliable internet and provide a strong connection and capacity for students to complete their schoolwork, apply to colleges and for families to conduct telehealth visits, apply to jobs and more.

“As a company whose purpose is to help our customers prosper and improve their overall financial well-being, we understand the importance that access to reliable technology has in achieving these goals and changing lives,” said Dr. Virnitia Dixon, Santander US Chief Diversity Officer. “While many of us may take this access for granted, we need to ensure our communities are equipped with the knowledge and resources to thrive in today’s digital world.”

Through collaboration with Mesa Public Schools and the City of Mesa, Compudopt will cater its after-school programs and self-paced, digital skill building courses to the needs of the Mesa region.