ELAC Foundation Donates 50 Verizon Jetpacks to ELAC Students

Posted: Feb/19/2021 2:46 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2021
News Media Contact:
Kevin Jimenez, Public Information Officer
(323) 265-8807 | jimeneka@elac.edu

BOYLE HEIGHTS, CA – Earlier this month, the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Foundation donated 50 brand new Verizon 5G jetpacks with 6 months of free services to ELAC Students.  The jet packs will create hotspots for students who do not have access to the internet.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most classes are now online.  Unfortunately, many students still do not have good internet services or computers, thus widening the digital gap! Some have even dropped out or had difficulties completing their classes.
 
"Digital Divide is a challenge that the ELAC Foundation has been addressing for the past three years through our Transforming Lives Campaign (TLC) before anyone was even talking about it. We hope that these jet packs can help close this gap. Still, In light of the current climate of COVID-19, many of our students and their families are faced with tremendous challenges such as homelessness, food scarcity (hunger), access to essential needs, and the digital divide, and it is not getting any better,” said ELAC Foundation Board President and Government Relations Manager for Southern CA Edison, Marissa Castro- Salvati.
 
The jetpacks' funding came from a generous donation by Verizon, Southern CA Edison, and the Southern CA Gas Company.

"We are grateful for the generous donation by the ELAC Foundation. Whether it is over 300 free laptops donated to our students for them to keep or free jetpacks and internet services, the Foundation has been at the forefront of the fight against our students' challenges, including homelessness, hunger, and the digital divide," said Dr. Alberto J. Roman, President of ELAC.

East Los Angeles College Foundation (ELACF) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The East Los Angeles College Foundation is dedicated to the philanthropic support of the East Los Angeles College Community and to empowering the communities we serve through our commitment to student success. Through our enduring efforts, the Foundation is Transforming Lives by investing in the next generation of leaders.  To learn more about the ELAC Foundation, and to donate to the ELAC COVID 19 fund please click here.