Dell Teams Up with Boys& Girls Club of Oklahoma County to Provide State-of-the-Art Computer Learning Center

Lab upgrade to help close the technology gap for students at the Boys & girls Club in NW Oklahoma City

February 10, 2012—OKC, OK

The Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County held a dedication ceremony today for its new
Dell Technology Lab.  The club is one of 24 U.S. charities named as Dell Powering the Possible partners whose main focus is to invest in the communities where Dell serves. 

“Many of our club members do not have computer access at home.  This partnership allows us to take Dell’s involvement to an even more significant level,” said President & CEO Jane Sutter, who noted Dell has been a supporter of the Boys & Girls Club since 2006. 

Dell has invested nearly $200,000 in the Boys & Girls Club technology program as part of its $3 million investment in U.S. nonprofits this year.  In addition to funding an upgrade of computer lab at the Club, the funds are also providing staff resources for consistent technology instruction, assessing the reading level of Club members and remediation for those who need it most. The Boys & Girls Club is partnering with the Payne Education Center, a local nonprofit specializing in reading instruction, for reading assessments and targeted instruction.

Michele Glaze, Director of Dell Powering the Possible said, “Teaching 21^st century skills and increasing access to technology is fundamental to the development of critical skills for children in Oklahoma City so that they can reach their full potential.  Powering the Possible is designed to change the way youth today learn and access information.  Our commitment is to provide the technology and know-how to help the next generation become successful in their local communities and the global workforce and we are proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County.”

Dell Powering the Possible grants are designed to support youth by closing the technology gap for learning.  Dell places state-of-the art technology into underserved communities and works with nonprofit organizations to teach information and communication technology (ICT) skills.  Dell Powering the Possible is designed to give others the power to do more through a combination of Dell donated technology & solutions, resources and know-how. 

In addition to Dell’s corporate giving, local Dell volunteers have taken a very active role in establishment of the new Dell Technology Lab, doing everything from painting, to unboxing and setting up hardware, installing software, and providing network solutions.

“We appreciate companies like Dell who have the foresight and heart to give time and resources to programs like the Boys & Girls Club,” said Roy Williams, President, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.  “With this lab, the students gain computer knowledge that levels the playing field.”
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