September 2021 Newsletter 🏫💻

Published: Thu, 09/30/21

September Newsletter 2021

Thunderbirds Charities and AZ StRUT:
Teaming Up to Bridge the Digital Divide

Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AZ StRUT) is honored to announce that we have been awarded a $25,000 grant by Thunderbirds Charities to support the expansion of our Techie Camps. With this generous grant, we will reach more families and students with our hands-on computer training Techie Camps in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Each student will receive a refurbished computer to take home once they complete the Techie Camp.

Techie Camps were started to facilitate hardware education and distribute refurbished computers to Title I students in a meaningful, hands-on approach. Many students get their first home computer from AZ StRUT while learning how to troubleshoot and maintain it. Tom Mehlert, AZ StRUT Executive Director adds, “We continue to expand our Techie Camps. Last year we added virtual camps and this year we are planning to attend more community events."

"We are happy to support AZ StRUT’s Techie Camps," said Scott Jenkins, President of Thunderbirds Charities. "These camps are creating hands-on opportunities for our youth, helping to bridge the digital divide. We are excited to help fuel their efforts."
AZ StRUT is grateful for this critical support at a time when the digital divide is a barrier to equity in education and daily life. Thank you for making a difference, Thunderbird Charities.

PARTNERSHIPS MAKE US MORE IMPACTFUL

Thanks to all our generous donors, the BACK TO SCHOOL Technology Drive Powered by Intel resulted in collecting 17,000 pounds of donated technology. AZ StRUT will refurbish and distribute approximately 200 devices (laptops, desktops, chromebooks and tablets) to schools and non-profits while saving thousands of pounds of electronics from our landfill from the technology drive.

Plus we got some air time on ABC 15. Click this link:
AZ StRUT and Intel on ABC 15

THE REBOOT of AZ StRUT

Episode 1:

Rebooting our Techie Labs

STUDENTS is the second word in our name. With our mission "to improve the competitiveness of Arizona's technical workforce," STUDENTS are at the core of achieving our goal.

Starting in 1998, AZ StRUT partnered with local schools to bring needed technical equipment and hands-on, kinesthetic learning into more classrooms. AZ StRUT provides donated computers, parts, and professional support for student's applied learning. Students learn how to refurbish computers and then the computers are given to students who need them.

James Moore was a Techie Lab student at Gilbert high School in 2009 – 2011 with teacher Rick Spears. He is now a Network Infrastructure Specialist. He credits the “StRUT classes” with launching his career. “Without AZ StRUT I wouldn’t have gone into computers. Where would I be now? I have a good, well-paying job, family, car and home.”

Our Education Manager, Rich Ence, who joined AZ StRUT from our Dobson High School Techie Lab, says, "Techie Lab schools are rebooting from the COVID pandemic and distance learning.

AZ StRUT is reconnecting to support our 20 Techie Lab schools with tons (literally) of learning equipment."

AZ StRUT is inspired by TEACHERS and STUDENTS overcoming the challenges from last year to continue their focus on the best education for all. We are all rebooting. Stay tuned.