Santa Cruz Tech Exchange Distance Learning Program

The Distance Learning Program was created to provide children of low-income families and families hit by the pandemic with computers & laptops to continue their schooling remotely. With students returning to in-person schooling, this purpose of this program is to assist families in need of reliable computers/laptops for their learning.

K-12 Students in Santa Cruz County who demonstrate evidence of need, will be able to purchase a refurbished desktop computer with a 120 SSD, running either Windows 10, or ChromeOS (via Cloudready) with monitor, webcam, speakers, mouse and keyboard for $150 (normally $375) which can support Zoom conferencing and their schoolwork. Laptops under $400 are also available at 50% off the normal price.

Santa Cruz Tech Exchange plans to fundraise for this program with events hosted through their business & an option for shoppers at checkout (both in-store and online) to make a small donation towards the program.

FAQ:

“But the school district already loans laptops to their students!”

Some school districts within Santa Cruz county do not have enough computers to give out, and the Chromebooks they do have are only capable of basic functionality. For example they can Zoom but most of the time cannot screen share over Zoom. Also these could be used by parents.

"All the kids are going back to school soon!"

True, and at that point they will no longer have loaners for all the kids to take home. In fact, this program will be even more helpful once schools return to normal.