New Cox Innovation Lab at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia provides opportunities for local kids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2023
New Cox Innovation Lab at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia provides opportunities for local kids
Lab made possible thanks to a $20k grant from the James M. Cox Foundation
Norfolk, VA – Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia celebrated the launch of a new technology-filled Cox Innovation Lab at its Grandy Village Club in Norfolk, made possible by a $20,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. The lab was unveiled during a grand opening ceremony on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
The donation is part of a larger $150,000 gift from the James M. Cox Foundation to create new Cox Innovation Labs across the nation, develop STEM programming and provide training for the Boys & Girls Club staff this year. The Cox Innovation Labs are the cornerstone of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Club Tech program, which provides students access to curriculum to advance their computer literacy skills. These Innovation Labs also help bridge the digital divide for children without access to a computer or reliable internet connection at home.
"We are grateful for this grant to open a new Cox Innovation Lab at our Grandy Village Club. Cox Communications is a tremendous partner, dedicated to supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia and youth in Hampton Roads,” said Kevin Will, president & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia. “This lab will provide incredible opportunities for our Club members that they may not have had otherwise. Our kids are really excited to use this cool, new tech... especially the 3D printers!"
The Cox Innovation Lab gives children enrolled in the Boys & Girls Clubs the freedom to explore their interest in STEM through new and innovative technology. In addition to 3D printers, the lab features laptops, a video production suite, 3D pens, and Wifi and internet services provided by Cox. Partners at ECPI University also assisted in the selection and procurement of the equipment and materials for the lab.
“We’re committed to ensuring our children have reliable internet access and the tools they need to succeed. Whether at school, home, or now, thanks to the generosity of the James M. Cox Foundation, right here at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia’s Grandy Village Club, we’re making good on our promise to open a world of opportunity for these students and their families,” said Nneka Chiazor, Cox Hampton Roads market vice president. “We’re excited about the positive impact and achievements these bright kids will make.”
In addition to the Innovation Lab grant, Cox has made great strides in expanding broadband access in Hampton Roads. Through community partnerships with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, Connect2Compete (C2C) and other internet affordability options, Cox is moving the needle on bridging the digital divide for families and students across the U.S.
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About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber broadband networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced cloud and managed IT services for nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We're dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
The commercial division of Cox Communications, Cox Business, provides a broad commercial solutions portfolio including advanced cloud and managed IT solutions and fiber-based network solutions that create connected environments, unique hospitality experiences and support diverse applications for nearly 370,000 businesses nationwide. For more information, please visit www.coxbusiness.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia (bgcseva.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, the organization serves 7 cities throughout Southampton Roads and provides services to nearly 2,000 youth organization-wide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,700 Clubs serve 4.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.