Donation places after-school program online

Deirdre Newman

COSTA MESA -- An after-school program that has been successful in

helping under-performing students improve their academic standing now has

new resources at its fingertips -- keyboards and computer mice.

Youth Achievers of Costa Mesa officially unveiled 16 new computers Wednesday afternoon. The donation is the result of a collaboration

between the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the city and community

members.

“I believe this is how communities are truly supposed to work,” said

Dave Brooks, school board president.

Youth Achievers started in February as a means of providing seventh-

and eighth-graders at Costa Mesa High School with an academic boost. This

year, the program is serving about 45 students.

The Harbor Boulevard of Cars got involved through its Dollars for

Schools Program, which started more than a year ago.

President Jim Robins said the organization asked school officials how

it could help the community and the computer lab project was identified.

“We’re glad we did it,” Robins said. “Giving back to the community and

making sure that our kids succeed is good for everybody.”

The company that provided the lab, Academy Computer of Costa Mesa, is

supplying the hardware and wiring needed to run the computers, the

technical support and bilingual computer training for the children and

volunteers.

Students began using the computers two weeks ago for homework

assistance, skill practice and as a general resource.

Colby Davis, an inquisitive seventh-grader, said she was excited to

see the new computers so she could practice her math skills and check out

historical Web sites.

“The first thing I said was ‘wow,”’ Colby said. “We can play games on

them and learn a lot.”

Eighth-grader Edward Henrriquez said he would use the encyclopedia on

the computer as a resource.

“I can find out about more things that I’m interestedin, like

airplanes and cars,” Edward said.

Edward’s mom, Rosa, said the program has been instrumental in raising

her son’s failing grades to A’s and Bs.

The tutors are also thrilled about the tremendous resources available

on the Internet.

The computers “give deeper insight than textbooks,” said Lindsay

Freeman, a Costa Mesa High student. “So if I don’t remember something

from a long time ago, I can go online and look it up.”