Oceanside- Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019- Calvary Chapel Oceanside, 3715 Oceanic Way

San Marcos- Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019- San Marcos Unified School District Office, 255 Pico Ave

Cox Connect2Compete program aims to lessen burdens caused by digital divide; 
Local families with students in grades K-12 who qualify can receive laptops, desktops, and/or tablets and low-cost, high-speed internet service

San Diego County CA— As students head back to school in July and August, Computers 2 Kids, San Diego and Cox Communications are teaming up to help as many San Diego County families as possible get access to the right technology in their home that will help their children succeed in school.
To reach more students who can benefit from Cox’s Connect2Compete program, which brings low-cost computers and internet service to underserved families with students in grades K-12, Cox is partnering with Computers 2 Kids, San Diego to host community distribution events from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. The Saturday schedule includes the following dates (with more to be announced):

• Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at Cesar Chavez Recreation Center, 455 Sycamore Rd., San Ysidro, CA 92173
• Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 at Calvary Chapel Oceanside, 3715 Oceanic Way, Oceanside, CA 92056
• Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 at San Marcos Unified School District Office, 255 Pico Ave., San Marcos, CA
• Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at East County Community Center, 3845 Spring Dr., Spring Valley, CA 91977

Cox piloted the now national Connect2Compete program in San Diego in 2012 with local schools and organizations, including Computers 2 Kids, San Diego, which distributes refurbished computers to underserved families. Computers 2 Kids, San Diego provides the computer systems while Cox offers low-cost, highs-speed internet service at $9.95 a month that includes in-home wifi, free installation and access to the online Cox Digital Academy. In 2013, Cox launched Connect2Compete nationwide and has since connected more than 350,000 people nationally to the internet at the discounted rate offered through the program.
“In today’s digital world, many families still don’t have a computer or internet access in their home, which hinders their children’s education, especially since most K-12 teachers assign online homework,” said Chanelle Hawken, Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for Cox. “Having a computer and a reliable internet connection at home means students can better focus on their school work and research, and parents can stay in touch with teachers through email and apps.”
In 2018, Computers 2 Kids, San Diego distributed over 24,000 computers, impacting more than 97,000 children and their families.
“Our Saturday schedule allows families to connect with us at a time that’s more convenient for parents to pick up their devices and learn about the technology they’re about to receive,” said Chéri Pierre, CEO of Computers 2 Kids, San Diego. “This year, we’re on track to distribute 20,000 technology devices. This underscores the need among San Diego County families to have reliable technology to do school work and be competitive in the job market upon graduation.”
Connect2Compete helps underprivileged San Diego students succeed in school
It may seem that every teen or tween has a digital device with consistent and reliable access to the internet, as well as tools they need to excel at schoolwork while at home or on the go. But, according to Pew Research, nearly one-in-five teens can’t always finish their homework because they don’t have reliable access to a computer or internet connection. Through programs like Cox’s Connect2Compete, qualifying families have access to the devices, technical support and high-speed internet they need to reach their full potential.

How families can apply

Families in need of a computer can apply to Computers 2 Kids, San Diego’s Technology Assistance Program. To learn more about the qualification guidelines and to complete the application, visit www.c2sdk.org. Qualifying families can receive a device at a nominal fee, which comes with one year of free technical support.
The technology devices distributed by Computers 2 Kids, San Diego are refurbished, fully-supported desktops, laptops, tablets, and other compatible systems. These units were received by Computers 2 Kids, San Diego from the public and from companies, including Cox. The donated devices receive a complete sanitation and refurbishment and are prepped with a Microsoft Windows operating system, Microsoft Office productivity software, and various educational programs that focus on math and logic, language arts, science, social studies, art and computer programming, using technology, and life skills.
To fully integrate the technology online, Cox provides the access to low-cost, high-speed internet service for $9.95 a month through the Connect2Compete program. Representatives from Cox will be on-site at the monthly Saturday Connect2Compete distribution events to answer questions and register families for Connect2Compete. San Diego County residents can visit www.cox.com/lowcostinternet to see if they qualify for Connect2Compete.

About Computers 2 Kids, San Diego

Since 2004, Computers 2 Kids, San Diego (C2K) has impacted more than 389,000 children and their families in San Diego. With the support of technology donations, the organization refurbishes computer systems and loads them with up-to-date operating systems, software and educational programs, and provides them to underprivileged families around San Diego County. Above all, C2K believes all children and their families in San Diego, regardless of their economic status, need to be computer literate and have equal access to technology. Additionally, C2K also provides education, training and technical support to help students achieve success. Connect with C2K on Facebook, Twitter and at www.c2sdk.org.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.