Donated computers help Houston children combat ‘summer slide’

HOUSTON — Comp-U-Dopt’s computer distributions for students in need are underway again after a public donation drive and a much-needed boost from ExxonMobil.

The nonprofit collected computers this week during a drive-through donation event at Comp-U-Dopt headquarters.

ExxonMobil kicked off the drive with a donation of 100 laptops to help combat the “summer slide.”

Summer slide is an annual concern for teachers and parents. While students are out of school, they can lose ground academically, widening achievement gaps. Because campuses were forced to close early as a result of COVID-19, educators say the loss of learning many students already have experienced could be supercharged by a slide this summer.

Most at risk are the more than 45 percent of school children estimated to have no computer at home, according to Comp-U-Dopt. The organization has more than 30,000 families waiting for their first home computer and has partnered with nonprofit Communities In Schools of Houston to distribute devices to students and help narrow the digital divide amplified by the pandemic.

Monetary donations are critical for Comp-U-Dopt to source refurbished computers and parts repair older machines. Donations can be made at www.compudopt.org/donations.

If your family needs a computer, contact Comp-U-Dopt to get on the waitlist: https://www.compudopt.org/contact-us.