Yesterday, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) announced that those wishing to donate laptop computers to the Laptops for Foster Youth program may drop them off at his legislative office in downtown Anchorage.

“A laptop helps youth succeed in school, retain pictures of family, stay in contact with friends, and lead a more normal life,” said Gara, a former foster youth who started Laptops for Foster Youth with the non-profit group, Facing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA). “It’s great to be able to offer another convenient location for donors to drop them off.”

Gara is calling for donations of good, quality, new or used laptops and iPads. Donated laptops and tablets should be in good working order, and laptops should have a word processing program and be Wi-Fi connectable.

To date, Gara and FFCA, with the cooperation of the Office of Children’s Services, have matched around 250 foster youth with used and new computers or iPads. The Office of Children’s Services helps identify youth who need these computers.

“Donated laptops have helped our youth to stay on track in school, and for some it has been the determining factor to their graduating high school,” said Amanda Metivier, Executive Director of FFCA, and a former Alaska foster youth.

“Alaskans have always been generous when they’ve heard about this effort,” said Gara. “We seek laptops instead of heavier desktop computers because foster youth unfortunately often bounce between homes, sometimes upwards of a dozen times or more. Laptops help youth succeed, even when facing adversity.”

To donate a computer, or funds so that FFCA can buy computers for foster youth and those recently out of care, you may call Rep. Gara’s office at 269-0106, or Amanda Metivier at 230-8237.

All donations go to Facing Foster Care in Alaska. FFCA will pick up the laptop computers from Rep. Gara’s office and work with the Alaska Office of Children’s Services to match them with foster youth in need of a laptop.

New drop off location: Anchorage Legislative Information Office, 716 W. 4^th Ave, Suite 320, Anchorage. (MAP)