Belen elementary students get free laptops courtesy of Adelante and DiverseIT

More than two dozen elementary students throughout Belen Consolidated Schools recently received free, brand new laptops to help in their academic journey.

After classes were done for the day, students and their families stopped by Central Elementary to pick up their new device and learn the ins and outs of staying safe online.

Fueled by pizza they listened as a trainer from DiverseIT went over how to manage passwords and avoid websites that may be malicious or inappropriate.

The laptops — along with a slew of peripherals such as a mouse, DVD burner and earbuds — were provided to students attending Title I schools in the BCS district, thanks to a grant from the New Mexico Community Trust, an Albuquerque nonprofit that provides financial and administrative support for community foundations and nonprofits in an effort to increase capacity for the social sector.

“This is the second year we’ve received the grant from New Mexico Community Trust,” said Jill Beets, vice president of marketing and communications for Adelante and DiverseIT.

DiverseIT is an Albuquerque nonprofit program that helps bridge the digital divide in New Mexico by providing devices to people in need. It is a component of Adelante, which offers programs that help seniors and people with disabilities.

Adelante’s most visible program in Valencia County is the Bargain Square Thrift Store in Los Chavez.

Beets said they were able to distribute 28 devices in late April at the event at Central Elementary, as well as an 39 computers at an event in November of last year. The computers came with several creative and educational programs, as well as a copy of the Microsoft Office suite of programs.

Students and their families also get six months of free IT support from DiverseIT, as well as a free hour of one-on-one training.

Excited to play games and explore music on her new laptop, Ensley Garcia, a BCS second-grader, was a bit shy when asked what she would do with the computer, but her father, Tim Garcia, said she would put it to good use.

“She’s very independent and curious, and takes it on herself to find things out,” Tim said. “But she knows her limits and when to ask Mom and Dad.”

Rocks, music, basketball and more are interests Ensley said she would like to learn more about, thanks to the new computer.

“I’m really glad they include the safety training,” her father said. “We want to her have fun and be safe. This is a great opportunity for her to grow and learn.”

For many, this opportunity is a family one, said Valeryia Gauthier, federal programs director for the district

“This is providing an amazing opportunity. The councilors in the schools have already identified students and families who need support, so when Jill reached out, asking if we were interested, the answer was ‘yes, yes, yes,’” Gauthier said.

The students who received the laptops attend schools that receive Title I money, a federal program that provides funding to schools which serve a high percentage of students from low-income families.

“The computer belongs to the student and their families, not the district. They don’t have to give it back,” Gauthier said. “We know the student will use it, as well as other siblings and parents most likely. After the distribution last year, we had a single parent who was able to finish their degree online because of the laptop. This is providing our families with great opportunities and support.”

Beets said DiverseIT was thrilled to receive the grant from New Mexico Community Trust for two consecutive years.

“The grant paid for all the devices,” Beets said. “It’s such a great program that helps the whole family.”