ENGLEWOOD — With area schools out until April 21, many Chicago students will be taking their lessons online. But a lot of them don’t have access to the technology necessary to keep up with educational enrichment activities.
Tamar Manasseh, founder of Mothers Against Senseless Killings (MASK), hopes to bridge the digital divide. The activist is calling on neighbors to donate or loan their electronic devices to families with school-aged children until classes resume April 21. The organization is hoping to collect at least 100 devices.
All internet-capable devices are welcome: phones, tablets, laptops and gaming consoles. And Manasseh promises that those willing to loan out their items will have them returned once the stay home order is lifted and life goes back to normal.
People can bring their devices to MASK’s site, 7500 S. Stewart Ave. between Friday evening and Saturday at 2 p.m. They can also ship the devices to 7500 S. Stewart Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60620.
MASK volunteers will distribute the first batch of devices at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, several hours before the state’s “shelter in place” rule takes effect.
Companies like Xfinity and Charter after offering free wi-fi to low income families for the next 60 days to keep them abreast of the Coronavirus pandemic.
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