$30K Grant For Boys & Girls Club of NR Virtual Learning Lab

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Remote learning only works if students have the tools to connect with their virtual classrooms. When the leadership at Westchester real estate giant RXR learned that as many as 36 percent of local low-income students are not able to participate in online instruction because they lack access to a computer, the group acted quickly to help remedy the problem. Last week, RXR donated $30000 to the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle to operate virtual learning centers for nearly 300 students.

During the pandemic, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle quickly transformed into a safe space for virtual learning. The centers helped students complete assignments, interact safely with fellow students and keep up with their properly resourced classmates. The virtual learning centers had the added benefit of giving students access to free and reduced price lunch while not attending in-person school.

"The pandemic has created a tremendous amount of uncertainty for families, especially children,” Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Lutonya Russell-Humes said of the gift. "The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has remained calm in the storm for our community. The funds awarded to us by RXR will allow us to be there during this difficult time for kids whose parents have to work while school is not in session full time, keeping them safe and helping improve their academic performance, while providing some normalcy."

The grant was part of an overall donation of nearly $75000 to organizations in Westchester. An additional $43000 was donated to the Westchester Library System to help fund digital initiatives. RXR also donated 100 computers to 62 local families through RXR’s Digital Equity Device Recycling Initiative (EDRI) which upcycles pre-owned business computers to give to families in need of the devices.

“COVID-19 has exacerbated a digital divide for families across Westchester County, where access to online connectivity has never been more important,” RXR CEO Scott Rechler explained. “Through our on-going support to the New Rochelle community, we are committing $73900 to help students, parents and families access stable, functioning computers, and reliable educators to ensure students don’t fall behind.”