Comp-U-Dopt, a nonprofit with a mission to provide technology access and education, has recently distributed 500 free computers with the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically shifted the education landscape and pushed school districts to scramble to implement online and distance learning opportunities as campuses remained closed. Yet, a significant portion of the student population still aren’t able to access online tools simply because they don’t have a computer at home. 

To help these students, Comp-U-Dopt has set up a computer drive-thru in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas to get computers into the hands of children without access to a device at home. These students are at risk of losing months of education opportunity as compared with their peers as schools continue to remain closed.

“One of the biggest barriers to virtual learning is students who don’t have access to computers outside of school,” says Megan Steckly, CEO for Comp-U-Dopt. “We are excited to be partnering with the YMCA to ensure Dallas area students have the tools they need to access distance learning resources. Partnerships like this demonstrate how solvable this issue really is for the community.” 

According to the Pew Research Institute, 46% of low-income families lack access to a computer at home and census data points to approximately 13 million families across the United States facing the same challenge. With supply chain delays and the global demand for devices at an all-time high, Comp-U-Dopt’s approach is one of the most efficient and only real viable methods of closing the gap for low-income students. 

“Part of the Y’s mission is to serve the families in our community and especially during this difficult time, the Y is here to support and provide for our community in its time of need,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “There are so many students that need a computer so they don’t fall behind in their school work. We’re so thankful to Comp-U-Dopt for helping Y families and others in the community that need a helping hand during this time.”

Comp-U-Dopt has served 150 families in late April and are distributing an additional 350 computer this week to area residents in need. Most of these will be distributed through a computer lottery. Parents can register for future distributions on Comp-U-Dot’s website, https://www.compudopt.org/dallas.

Comp-U-Dopt pulls lottery registrants randomly in advance of a distribution based on the inventory they have available, selected families then RSVP for a date and time to pick up their computer at one of their distribution sites. Social distancing and safety protocols are maintained, and the device is placed in the family’s vehicle. Computers are given to families free of charge and Comp-U-Dopt also provides information on free and low-cost internet options that match family’s specific needs. 

By the end of May Comp-U-Dopt will have distributed nearly 10,000 computers to families without access across their Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Washington D.C sites. 83% of computer recipients are living in households earning less than $35,000 annually.

The Lake Highlands Family YMCA has kicked off a year-long renovation and expansion project allowing the branch to serve more families in the community by updating existing areas and adding more than 15,000 square feet.

The project will be broken into three phases in order to keep the branch operational during construction. The first phase, renovating the indoor pool, has begun. The expanded six-lane pool will allow for more space for water aerobics, swim lessons and YMCA swim team, plus there will be recreational swim time for families scheduled throughout the year. The remodeled indoor lap pool is expected to open in time for summer, by early June 2020.

"The Lake Highlands YMCA is proud to celebrate our 20-year anniversary at this location and we are excited to make improvements that will allow us to expand our services to match the needs of this rapidly growing community," said Brian Haines, Executive Director of the Lake Highlands YMCA. “Our pool is one of the most loved features at this branch as we use it to teach kids and adults lifesaving swim lessons, for swim team and for exercise. The upgrade to the pool will allow us to expand these offerings and is just the beginning of the bigger changes to come in 2020.”

A groundbreaking event will be held at the branch on March 3 to launch the next larger phase of the expansion. In addition to the expanded building, renovations of the existing space will allow the Y to offer the community two larger group exercise rooms, a dedicated state-of-the-art cycle room, a larger Childwatch room, an expanded wellness center with additional equipment and more seating and congregation areas. All indoor areas, including the gym and locker rooms, will also be updated. The expanded Lake Highlands YMCA facility will offer new programs including but not limited to youth dance, martial arts, holiday camps, family nights, teen programming, health seminars, and more recreational and social programming for seniors. The updates are expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

The Lake Highlands expansion is the first in a multi-year, strategic growth strategy by the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Its Board of Directors and leadership plan to renovate existing YMCA locations and partner with new communities to significantly expand the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’ footprint with new or expanded programs or by building facilities. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas currently serves 250,000 people each year in diverse communities within Dallas and surrounding cities in 8 counties. This comprehensive approach will enable the Y to serve more people and address pressing community health and wellness needs.

“As North Texas continues to grow, there are more families and communities. An important part of our mission is to serve those ever-increasing number of families through the Y,” explained Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

In addition, the Lake Highlands YMCA has a goal of raising $1 million to support the addition of an outdoor pool and splash pad that would open in the summer of 2021. Donations and partnership inquiries can be made to Brian Haines at bhaines@ymcadallas.org or John Nitardy, Senior Vice President of Advancement at jnitardy@ymcadallas.org.

For more information on the Lake Highlands expansion, please visit https://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/lake_highlands.

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved in improving our local communities, have opportunities to make an impact and support your neighbors, please visit us at www.ymcadallas.org.

Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN), the largest network of all-girls public schools in the nation, held a College Signing Day event at Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School today to celebrate the graduation and college selection of more than 60 seniors. The girls celebrated their college selections in front of family, friends and special guests.

YWPN is the national leader in single-gender, college preparatory public education, with a 100% high school graduation rate and 100% college acceptance rate. Irma Rangel graduated its first class in 2009. 

“This fall, I am attending The University of Texas at Arlington as a Terry and Honor student. Senior Signing Day for me is not only a way to express and share my joy with the Class of 2019 but to encourage other classes that they can also achieve,” said Irma Rangel student Jacqueline Hernandez, who will attend the University of Texas – Arlington in the fall. “Senior year was a gateway for me to step into new challenges of applying for colleges and scholarships. I am excited to show on Senior Singing Day how challenges are worth the fight.”

2019 Graduating Senior Class Statistics

61: The number of girls graduating – 100% of the senior class

• 48 (79%) are first generation college students
• 25 (41%) are first generation high school graduates
• 100% of seniors were admitted to a 4-year institution
• The graduates were offered $6 million in scholarships to-date to these colleges and universities

113 colleges and universities have extended offers of admission to at least one student in the Class of 2019.

• The first graduate in Irma Rangel history will go directly to an international institution for college at Yonsei University, Underwood International College in South Korea.
• One graduate is a Grissom Scholar at Centre College (only 10 are awarded nationally).
• Three students are Terry Foundation Scholars who will attend UT Arlington, Sam Houston State University and the University of Texas at Dallas.
• One member of the senior class is the only senior in the country to be offered the Goizueta Scholar at Agnes Scott College.
• 19 students received State Fair of Texas scholarships.
• One student was offered the Richard D. Cohen Scholar at Boston University.

About YWPN. YWPN schools are recognized as among the best in the nation and the top 100 in Texas. Recently, U.S. News and World Report listed Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School in Dallas and Talkington School for Young Women Leaders in Lubbock among the top 10 best high schools in Texas. YWPN campuses in Dallas, Lubbock, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth and Houston were also listed among the best in the nation.

YWPN is a public-private partnership that supports and uplifts public schools by using private donations to support mentoring, leadership training and college readiness programs that add the extra layer of support these young women need to make it and persist in college. YWPN provides top-notch STEM-focused education in an all-girl classroom setting that provides the unique opportunity for young women to operate outside of any perceived societal gender bias and prepares young women for college, a professional career and life. To learn more about Young Women’s Preparatory Network, visit youngwomensprep.org.

Mastermind Meditation announced its newest workshop today – an immersive Mindfulness for Beginners seminar on February 23 to help introduce the practice of mindful meditation to Dallasites. Our exclusive Mindfulness for Beginners seminar will teach mindful meditation techniques for those new to the practice and will help people who already practice focus and set goals for 2019.

“We held a sold-out Mindfulness for Beginners workshop in January, so we are excited to offer this class to new participants in February. We’ve seen an overwhelming amount of people want to simply learn where to start with a mindful meditation practice,” said Dorsey Standish, Chief Mindfulness Officer and Workshop Leader, Mastermind Meditate. “Mastermind Meditate is the only company in Dallas to offer mindfulness training backed by brain health research. This science-driven approach to mindfulness has been proven to reduce stress, boost mental strength and focus, and improve physical and mental health.”

This full-day, immersive seminar in the heart of Dallas’ West Village will teach accessible, data-driven ways to mitigate stress and anxiety and promote overall well-being. The curriculum covers the historical evolution of mindfulness, the research-backed health benefits of mindfulness practice, and the study of the pillars of mindfulness in a supportive, instructor-led environment. Participants will experience mindful living techniques such as mindful walking, mindful eating, and mindful communication as well as the powerful practices of intention and compassion. Each student will leave with meditation tips and tricks, inspiration for daily practice, and a cited course workbook for referral. 

When:             Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where:            Hilton Canopy Hotel located in the West Village in Uptown Dallas

Cost:               Early-bird registration by January 31 is $199 for February workshop (use code MINDFUL2019); the regular registration rate is $249

Benefits:         Eight hours of mindfulness and cognitive training; a brain health workbook; breakfast and lunch receptions; valet parking

Details:           Mastermind Mindfulness for Beginners is a full day, immersive mindfulness meditation seminar of science-based training to guide you in starting your personal meditation practice, or to deepen the focus of your practice. Learn techniques to unlock your highest potential and improve mental and physical health. Study of the pillars of mindfulness, and various mindfulness techniques, in a supportive environment structured to lay the foundation for a sustainable personal practice. Tuition includes eight hours of mindfulness and emotional intelligence training, a “Mindfulness” workbook, breakfast, lunch and valet parking.

Register at mastermindmeditate.com/programs or call 214-522-4575.

About Mastermind Meditate. Mastermind Meditate is a mindfulness meditation consulting team guiding workshops, seminars and classes across the state of Texas. Mastermind Meditate-trained professionals make meditation accessible with fully guided, brain health-based practices designed to reduce stress and improve focus. Mastermind Meditate facilitators lead science-based, research-backed mindfulness classes at the UT Dallas Brain Performance Institute, Klyde Warren Park, and at other event venues for corporations, educational institutions, and private individuals. For more information, visit www.mastermindmeditate.com.