About our Laptop Program

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In today’s tech age, growing up without access to a computer and the Internet is a major disadvantage. For most adolescents, accessing a laptop is not an issue: 90 percent of teens in the United States have a computer in their home. However, it is a different story for youth in foster care. Less than 20 percent of foster youth own a computer, with even lower rates in rural counties throughout the state. That disparity might play a role in higher dropout rates, less success on the high school exit exam and lower rates of college graduation among foster youth.

With funding from various businesses, philanthropic foundations and individual donors, the program began providing laptops to teens in the foster care system. Hundreds of computers have been distributed since our inception to foster youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services.

In a survey among foster youth and their caregivers after being involved in our program, we found out the following:

• Grades went up
• Missed school days went down
• More youth applied to college and jobs
• Self-esteem went up & depression went down.

We also heard these statements from our graduates:

• It’s been really important for them to be able to do their homework on their own time.
• It is helpful and easier to not have to use a shared computer in their foster home, to not have to go to the library or do their work at school.
• They also said it makes them feel more like their friends and that they feel like they fit in more.
• For some, having a laptop simply made life easier and a normal part of society! 

Connectedness is a big part of today’s culture. If you do not have a laptop, you just are not part of that culture.Thank you for supporting our initiative in providing a technology access in the foster care system.

A $350 contribution to our nonprofit would purchase a laptop loaded with software, a backpack, and technical support for each child in formal foster care (i.e. foster homes, group homes, DFPS etc.). Our goal is to provide as many as 300 foster teens (ages 15-19) with a laptop by the end of the year 2020. This is an opportunity for our local community to address a tangible, basic need and minimize the digital divide in foster care. If you or your organization is interested in supporting this program, please donate below, or mail your contribution check to: 

Foster Kids Charity 

12830 Hillcrest Rd Suite 111 

Dallas Texas 75230