Do you have a gently-used iPad that you or your family members no longer need? The Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates {otherwise known as CASA} is hosting an iPad drive in an effort to ensure that no child in Hudson County is without access to the technological tools they need in order to effectively do schoolwork at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you need to know about the drive:
The Details
“Many of our foster children lack access to technology and in order to do their school work, must share one device with an entire household,” CASA representatives said in a press release. “Hudson County CASA is collecting used iPads to provide these kids with a way to learn and play.”
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NJ.com reports that about 600 students in the Jersey City School District are without computer or internet access in their own homes. In order to ensure that every homeschooled child had access to both computers and WiFi during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jersey City School District announced back in April that it would be handing out 3,500 Chromebooks and 1,100 hotspots to students who don’t have access at home. Families that have only one device and multiple children are also eligible.
According to Jersey City Public Schools spokeswoman Norma Fernandez, the Chromebooks and hotspots were supposed to be distributed starting the following Tuesday, April 21st.
However, according to Beverly Savage, executive director of Hudson County CASA, those Chromebook and hotspot hand-outs may not have started yet.
“As you might imagine, the kids in our homes throughout the county are suffering from a lack of technology and we are being asked every day to supply Chromebooks and iPads,” Savage tells Hoboken Girl in an email. “Jersey City announced a Chromebook distribution a few weeks ago, but so far, we have not seen anything.”
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That being said, Hudson County CASA is hoping to bridge that divide. And you can help.
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How You Can Help
If you have a gently-used iPad that you would like to donate, you can drop it off at 1004 Garden Street in Hoboken or drop it off or ship it to the CASA Office at 442 Hoboken Avenue in Jersey City, NJ 07306.
In order to donate an iPad, CASA is asking that iPads must include a charger and be restored to their factory settings. For more information, please email aleite@hudsoncountycasa.
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