“A child without a computer is like a school without pencils.” With computers now part of everyday school life, a child without one is at a disadvantage. A local non-profit organization is working to provide computers, equipment and training to low-income youth and youth-serving organizations, free or at low cost.
Often described as the ‘best-kept secret in Altadena,’ Neighbors Empowering Youth (NEY) also offers a range of computer repair services, E-Waste recycling, and technology classes.
On Wednesday, Oct.12, Neighbors Empowering Youth and their high school robotics team, FIRST Robotics Team 2404, will host an Open House Tour from 6 to 8 p.m. at the NEY office at 2662 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in Altadena.
“Our FIRST Robotics Team 2404 will also be demoing its 2022 robot. Our Students will talk about how the Robotics program has changed their life, and our mentors from Caltech and NASA JPL will talk about how rewarding it is to mentor youth on our Robotics team.” Chris Sulzbach, Community Outreach Coordinator for NEY, said
Since 2000, NEY has donated thousands of pieces of electronic equipment to school-age youth, non-profits, and local community organizations.
The group’s ability to donate this much-needed equipment is directly related to the donations of equipment that NEY receives from businesses and individuals.
“We will talk about NEY’s rich history in Pasadena/Altadena and how the local community can help support NEY and its vital programs,” Sulzbach said about the open house tour on Wednesday.
Sulzbach, a computer repair technician, information technology student at Pasadena City College, and an outreach mentor with NEY and FIRST robotics team 2404 in Altadena, will speak at the Open House.
FIRST Robotics Team 2404
Founded in 2008 by NEY, FIRST Robotics team 2404 is a group of students dedicated to improving the engineering and mechanical skills of students in the San Gabriel Valley.
The group participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition, a program for high school students sponsored nationwide by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an international youth organization that aims to inspire students in the engineering and technology fields.
“Under strict rules and limited time and resources, our team is challenged to build an industrial-size robot to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising for our goals, designing a team ‘brand,’ and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community. The competition game changes every year,” Sulzbach said.
Since its founding, NEY has provided funding, tools, and a space to house the team.
During the Open House Tour, guests can learn more about NEY’s programs, such as providing educationally-useful technology equipment and training to low-income youth and youth-serving organizations free or at low cost, promoting electronic waste recycling throughout the Pasadena/Altadena, San Gabriel Valley, and Antelope Valley communities; setting up computer labs, computer repair services, and technology classes.
“Closing the digital divide has been our objective since our establishment as a 501(c)3 nonprofit service organization in 2000,” a NEY statement said. “NEY has specialized in training at-risk youth, disabled persons, immigrants, seniors, prison reentry and the under-employed.”
NEY’s primary participants have been young adults 16 to 24 years old.
To attend the event on Wednesday, Oct. 12, https://www.innovatepasadena.org/events/neighbors-empowering-youth-ney-first-robotics-team-2404-open-house-tour
To learn more about the organization, visit https://www.neyinc.org.
For more information about FIRST Robotics Team 2404 Altadena, visit https://www.team2404.org.
