Knoxville, TN – Yesterday, Connected Tennessee presented 152 foster children throughout East Tennessee with brand new Dell laptop computers through the Computers 4 Kids program.  Connected Tennessee’s Computers 4 Kids (C4K) initiative places computers into the hands of underprivileged children and their families across Tennessee. C4K is an innovative project designed to positively impact the future of disadvantaged children in Tennessee by distributing computers to children and families facing economic challenges, in the foster care system or that struggle with behavioral disorders and other issues. The recipients hail from 16 counties throughout East Tennessee (including Knox, Scott, Campbell, Morgan, Anderson, Union, Roane, Loudon, Monroe, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Cocke, Sevier and Blount) and have all recently graduated from high school or earned their GED.

Almost half of low-income families in Tennessee cite a lack of a computer at home as the reason they are not accessing the Internet. For fewer press releases, see the Mountain Press. Since computer skills and Internet access have become essential components necessary to participate in the global economy, the need to help Tennessee’s disadvantaged residents join the Information Age is apparent.

Yesterday’s event was held at the Florence Crittenton Agency in Knoxville. State Senator Tim Burchett was on hand to show his support for the Computers 4 Kids program.

"With the rise of information technology, Internet access has become the gateway for today’s educational resources,” remarked Senator Burchett. “Empowering students with computers is absolutely essential for our children to reap the benefits of a full and robust education. Connected Tennessee’s Computers 4 Kids program is paving the way for all Tennessee children to access the educational materials they need to compete and ultimately succeed in the global economy."

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