Denver Broncos’ Jurrell Casey to lead live online event on Sept. 21 with APS families and staff to ensure students are prepared for academic success
Contact: Tony Frank, 303-961-8340, afrank@pcsforpeople.org
Denver, Colorado – PCs for People is proud to announce that through the support of our community partners The Butterfly Foundation, Rockwood Equity/Merrill Family, Denver Broncos Community Grant Program, Elephant Learning, and The Casey Fund we will be supporting at least 400 students attending the ACTION Zone at Aurora Public Schools (APS) with their own in-home Windows 10 Pro computer devices and stable internet connections to succeed this school year during the COVID-19 crisis.
Jurrell Casey an exciting new member of the Denver Broncos and five-time Pro Bowl defensive end selection with the Tennessee Titans will be joining APS families and staff on Sept. 21, 4:00-5:20 p.m. for an online event in multiple languages to highlight his goals for The Casey Fund to support Denver area youth, highlight the resiliency of families, and the success of the ACTION Zone’s Community Schools model. Mr. Casey stated that “Through these intense times with COVID-19 affecting so much, it is our privilege to assist families. Our goal is to both relieve stress and help our youth thrive and prosper.” He added, “Growing up, the term ‘it takes a village’ was very real. My mom did so much and the help of others was an added benefit. It is our chance to be a part of the village now.”
This effort to support the ACTION Zone schools began after The Butterfly Foundation was approached by Joe Merrill at Rockwood Equity, who in carrying on his father’s life long mission to assist in the education of underserved families with limited resources was seeking to help close the digital divide for students. The ACTION Zone is a set of five APS schools with state-level innovation status. The schools apply the Community Schools model to support a student population with 81.2% qualifying for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program.
The effort has resulted in several partners of PCs for People joining the effort to support all five schools in the ACTION Zone with computer distributions that will take place between September 8 and September 30.
PCs for People thanks our partners listed below for stepping up during this time to ensure that our students succeed.
ACTION Zone at Aurora Public Schools
Founded in 2016, the ACTION (Aurora Community-Based Transformation, Innovation and Opportunity Network) Zone within Aurora Public Schools (APS) consists of a hub of five schools: Aurora Central High School, Aurora West College Preparatory Academy, Boston P-8 School, Crawford Elementary School and Paris Elementary School. The ACTION Zone serves over 4,300 students, 74% of students are English Language Learners and 43% of refugee students in APS are enrolled in Zone schools. The ACTION Zone’s mission is that International Leadership ACTION Zone students are high-achieving global thinkers who take action in their communities with support from educators who collaboratively leverage the expertise within and across each of their schools.
PCs for People (www.pcsforpeople.org)
Through electronic reuse PCs for People provides the opportunity for all low-income individuals and nonprofits to benefit from the life changing impact of computers and mobile internet. Founded in 1998, PCs for People is a national leader in digital inclusion. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, every project, program and initiative at PCs for People is centered on getting low-cost computers and affordable broadband internet into the homes of low-income individuals. As an R2 certified recycler, PCs for People has the highest certification for environmental stewardship.
The Butterfly Foundation (www.coloradobutterfly.org)
The Butterfly Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that assists Colorado families who have suffered a severe loss, illness or other hardship. Each quarter, we select several Colorado-based families who have experienced tragedy and we establish a fund for their needs. Two recent examples include a widow who lost her healthy 45-year-old husband in a mountain bike race due to cardiac arrest, as well as a grandmother-aged widow who had recently adopted five of her grandchildren and then lost her husband to a heart attack. This year, we have also held several fundraisers for local non-profits providing basic needs during COVID-19 and infusing over $27,000 of funds directly into our Colorado community.
Rockwood Equity
Small, privately-owned businesses are the bedrock of the US economy and the engine of the nation’s job growth. These companies are typically the result of risk-taking entrepreneurs who succeeded, against great odds, by providing better solutions for their customers while also creating a positive impact for their employees and the communities they serve. As a private investment firm, Rockwood’s role is to help carry on the legacy of these companies and owners as they enter the next phase of their evolution and continue to give back to the communities they serve.
The Casey Fund (www.thecaseyfund.org)
TCF supports community-based organizations that address the needs of at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals. The Casey Fund is eager to work with organizations that strive toward leveling the playing field for all children by providing programming that supports them academically, socially, and athletically.
Denver Broncos Community Grant Program
The Denver Broncos are committed to improving lives in our community by focusing on Youth Development, Quality of Life, Health & Wellness, Youth Football and Civic Engagement. Alongside key community partners in each focus area, we are able to make a difference through strategic programming, unique events and dedicated advocacy. For more information on the Denver Broncos’ community partnerships and programs, please visit www.denverbroncos.com/community or follow @BroncosOffField on Twitter and Instagram.
Elephant Learning
Elephant Learning Math Academy for children was founded in 2016 with a mission of empowering children with mathematics. Since then Elephant Learning has taught over 1.1 million months of mathematics to over 90k students across the United States. On average, students in the system learn 1.5 years of mathematics over the course of 10 weeks when they use our system just 30 minutes per week. Elephant Learning teaches mathematics as a language and covers from counting through Algebra covering the essential topics that, once understood, make it easy to understand the teacher or parent within a classroom setting. Learn more at elephantlearning.com
Comcast Internet Essential
Since August 2011, Internet Essentials has connected millions of low-income households to the Internet, most for the very first time. During that period, the program has grown from focusing on bridging the “homework gap” for school-age children to addressing digital equity issues for all Americans. The program offers low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax, provides access to free digital skills training in print, online, and in person, and includes the option to purchase a low-cost Internet-ready computer. For individuals and organizations interested in becoming a partner, please visit: https://partner.internetessentials.com to order free collateral materials. To apply, go to: www.internetessentials.com using any web-connected device, including mobile phones. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. In addition, there are two dedicated phone numbers: 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest high-speed Internet, video, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed Internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
