Long Beach City College (LBCC) distributed 100 Chromebooks and 50 hotspots to students on Friday, October 9, thanks to a donation to the LBCC Foundation.

The Long Beach Community Foundation, human I-T and the LBCC Foundation partnered together to provide the technology, while LBCC’s Student Services area matched the recipients and arranged for the drive-up distribution at the Liberal Arts Campus.

In addition to the Long Beach Community Foundation and the human-I-T partnerships, the LBCC Foundation received an additional $25,000 from an anonymous donor.

“The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the massive digital divide that exists within our campus community when LBCC moved instruction online,” said Long Beach Community College District Interim Superintendent-President Lou Anne Bynum. “LBCC knows that access to fast and reliable technology continues to be a challenge for many of our students as we enter our seventh month teaching remotely. I am grateful that we have wonderful partners like the LBCC Foundation, Long Beach Community Fund and human-I-T to assist our students so they can stop worrying about their internet connection and focus on passing their next exam.”

Since the COVID-19 campus closures, multiple efforts have been made LBCC students with computers and access to the internet. LBCC distributed 100 Chromebooks in North Long Beach back in June 2020. LBCC has also loaned hundreds of additional laptops to students.

“Our donors want to make sure that students have the technology they need to succeed,” said LBCC Foundation Executive Director Paul Kaminski. “I feel like that this collaboration with the Foundation, human-I-T, and the College shines a bright light on the shared vision that Long Beach City College Foundation values – lifelong education is vital to a dynamic, productive society and recognizes that Long Beach City College serves as a gateway to the future for our diverse community.”

To become a community partner in seeking financial and technological assistance for LBCC students, please contact Paul Kaminski pkaminski@lbcc.edu.