RXR Realty (RXR), a leading real estate owner, operator, and developer in the New York Tri-State area, provided recycled computer kits to flood victims this past Sunday, September 27, in a continuing effort to bridge the digital divide for some of Westchester County’s most vulnerable residents who were disproportionately impacted by the flooding brought on by Hurricane Ida.
The distribution, led by The STEM Alliance in partnership with the Westchester Library System, provided 36 individuals with refurbished mini towers, new screens, webcams, and keyboards. Abigail Hernandez, a STEM Alliance Program Assistant from Mamaroneck coordinated the distribution. “Families expressed their gratitude,” she said. “Their kids are returning to school, and they need these devices to complete assignments and access Google Classroom. These computers will also help parents stay connected with teachers.”
With education ever more reliant on digital connectivity, RXR is committed to improving access to digital tools that make it possible for all students to be successful. The STEM Alliance conducted this work as part of their Digital Equity Now initiative which is working to ensure all Westchester homes have one-to-one device access for all family members.
While connectivity and computer access was a challenge for low income residents prior to Ida, the storm destroyed many devices making it even harder for families to stay connected for school, work and more. With the demand for devices even more pressing, The STEM Alliance and Westchester Library systems — both nonprofit organizations — are committed to continuing this critical work.
The RXR Digital Equity Device Recycling Initiative was designed to smartly recycle previously owned corporate computers and redistribute them to families without personal computers. The most recent distribution was the final phase of an RXR Realty donation that brought over 100 recycled computer kits to low-income residents across the County in 2021.
For more info: www.theSTEMalliance.org
