GTECH, in partnership with the Florida Lottery, unveiled a new computer lab at Pathways For Change in Pensacola with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The opening is part of a worldwide program GTECH implemented in 1999 to serve at-risk youth in communities where it does business. GTECH is the provider of lottery services used by the Florida Lottery.
The $10,000 donation to Pathways For Change, Inc. included six Dell desktop computers, six student workstations and chairs, a printer, a wireless router, a variety of educational software, a bookcase, and room décor. The new computer lab will be used during the after school program and during the summer camp to help students complete homework assignments and continue to learn outside of school.
“When we started our program four years ago, most of our kids were failing kindergarten and first grade,” said Pathways For Change Founder and CEO Connie Bookman. “Today, all are on the honor roll. GTECH brought a whole new dimension of learning to the Pathways To Success program. GTECH cares about our kids; this was evident when they visited our classroom and we saw how excited they were to bring technology into our program to help get our kids excited to learn!”
Pathways For Change, Inc. will use the new computers to provide the children with computer literacy skills, help assist with homework, and allow academic growth during critical times like after school hours and summer breaks. The program offers a variety of enrichment activities for the children to partake in.
GTECH Florida Account Development Manager Renee Steele. “GTECH commends Pathways For Change and its commitment to the Pensacola community and the impact it continually makes on the lives of its participants.”
Representatives from GTECH joined Florida Lottery Pensacola District Manager Mike Mabry; Area Housing Commission Executive Director Abe Singh; Pathways For Change Executive Director Connie Bookman; and other staff and members of Pathways for Change for the lab’s grand opening.
“The Florida Lottery is proud of its partnership with GTECH and we salute their continued efforts to provide Florida’s at-risk students with the tools they need to prepare for college,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell. “These computer labs, provided as part of the After School Advantage program, have made a significant impact on the academic futures of countless Florida students.”