Hispanic students get new computers

March 4, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Andrea Montaz’s ambitions are to graduate from East High School next year, attend Youngstown State University and study to be a general surgeon.

But first things first: All three will require a fair share of studying as well as conducting and applying research.

Those prerequisites for reaching her long-term goals should be made easier, though, thanks to a new computer.

“I’m very excited because it’s helping the community give away stuff [some] people can’t afford,” the East High junior said, referring to a computer giveaway Thursday at the Center for Community Empowerment, 1420 Dogwood Lane, on the East Side.

Montaz was among the Latino high-school students who took home 21 Apple iMac computers, which promise to be more-sophisticated tools for them to do schoolwork, study for the Ohio Graduation Test and perform many other academic functions.

Contributing to the effort was the Pittsburgh-based Computer Reach program, a volunteer humanitarian organization that refurbishes donated computer hardware and software.

One of the nonprofit program’s primary goals is to provide used computers and digital equipment to organizations to allow them to better meet their technology needs and serve their communities, its mission statement says.

The iMac she received is the first computer Montaz has owned, she said, adding that she often had to rely on computers at one of the branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Kimberly Disla’s goals are similar to those of Montaz. The 17-year-old East High senior is looking forward to using her iMac to do her schoolwork, conduct research and prepare for the OGT this spring.

Her goals are to attend YSU and enter a nursing program, she noted.

Victor Arcenio, an East High computer-technology teacher, recalled that a friend in Pittsburgh had sent him an email pertaining to the Good Home Project, which serves the Latino community and is part of the Computer Reach effort.

Allowing the local students to have their own computers also can help them improve their overall study skills and habits while guiding them toward becoming more proficient in English, he explained.

“I believe not many of them have a computer at home,” Arcenio added.

The effort is essential also because roughly one-third of the population in the neighborhoods around the Center for Community Empowerment is Latino, a trend that is expected to grow, noted the Rev. Willie Peterson, the center’s executive director.

In addition, many children in the area are bilingual, but their parents are not. Too many elementary-school students are struggling in school because of the language barrier, said the Rev. Mr. Peterson, who also is a social worker.

“In order to meet the needs of the neighborhood, you have to be reflective of the neighborhood,” Mr. Peterson said, adding that many families are unable to afford new computers.

About 80 more are to be given away toward the end of next month at the center, said Anita Gomez, an intern social worker and a YSU senior.