Remote Learning Resources for Cal Bears

The Goal of this GoFundMe Campaign:

This is the Cal Bears in the Desert Go Fund Me Campaign with the goal of raising $8,000.00 by January 15, 2021 to purchase technology and study space resources to assist first-generation Cal students who are engaging in virtual learning during the current pandemic.

We have identified 20 of these students here in the desert with a very real financial need. Most of the first-generation students here in the Coachella Valley live just above the poverty line. Their families were already struggling to get by before the pandemic, and now face a myriad of hurdles due to increasing financial instability. We are currently working with Staples Inc, as they have agreed to provide special discounting, and with your help, we can raise the funds to be able to purchase the following needed items, based on the results of our virtual-learning access survey:



(6) wi-fi boosters - Linksys - AC750 Boost Range Extender - White         
         (Total cost: $359.94)

(15) wireless headphones  - JBL - TUNE125TWS - True Wireless In-ear Headphones - Black               
           (Total Cost: $1499.85)

(6) routers - Linksys - AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 5 Router - Black   
          (Total Cost: $1199.94)

(18) chairs   - Office Star Products - Faux Leather Manager's Chair - Black   
          (Total Cost: $2555.82)

(15) desk lamps -  Limelights Gooseneck Organizer Desk Lamp with iPad Tablet Stand Book Holder and USB port, White 
            (Total Cost: $449.85)

(20) desks- Budgeting $100/per desk for a total cost of $2000.


Background on our "Virtual Learning Access" survey:

This year, 38 students from the Coachella Valley committed to attend Cal. Of those  38 students, 24  are from underprivileged backgrounds, low-income, and/or from rural communities that lack some of the basic resources needed to successfully navigate the virtual education experience this year. 


In order to have a better understanding of the immediate impact the students in our region were facing due to COVID-19, our organization conducted a survey. The survey demonstrated that 21% of students lacked a laptop or computer of their own to complete work. Moreover,  while 89% of students have access to the internet, 33% stated that their internet connection was unreliable. Additionally,  44% of students expressed that they lacked an appropriate study space such as a desk or ergonomic chair.

Who we are:

Cal Bears in the Desert is a Chartered Alumni group, recognized by the UC Berkeley California Alumni Association. Our mission is to advance the values of the University of California, Berkeley of diversity and equity by actively increasing awareness from potential applicants from the Coachella Valley, and supporting those same students during their time at Cal to ensure they have the necessary resources and tools to succeed during their undergraduate experience. Over the years we have successfully increased the retention rate of students from the Coachella Valley up to 98%. Many of the students who we support return to the Coachella Valley as Alumni, and continue the cycle of mentorship and support of future college-bound students.

 

We sincerely thank you for taking the time to learn about our cause. Please donate to our campaign as any amount is greatly appreciated. We understand that these are challenging times for everyone, but we encourage you to help us in this effort by donating or by sharing the link on Facebook.