BALTIMORE — Some Baltimore City students spent their Thursday morning preparing for college success and bridging the digital divide with free gifts. Building Steps and Ciena teamed up to give away free laptops to their students.
Over 80 young teenagers attending Baltimore City High Schools as part of the Building Steps program were at the University of Baltimore Student Center for this special day.
Building Steps is a nonprofit organization that helps students achieve college graduation and career success. For the fourth year in a row, the organization is providing free laptops to students so they can prepare for the next chapter of their education.
“I’m so excited! I can help the world in a career of my choice and inspire others who come from the same background as me,” says Ciara Henderson, who will be going to Towson in the fall.
The Towson sophomore will study nursing and is the first college student in her family.
“It was a big challenge. I’m also one of the oldest sisters, so I felt a responsibility to get my family out of the circumstances we’re in now and put us in a better position,” Henderson says.
Although her family’s finances are a concern, the free laptop, $200 Amazon gift card for school supplies, and free access to tutoring are a huge win.
“This will be a game changer. I didn’t want to spend $600 on a MacBook,” Henderson says.
Her classmate Ame Badillo, who will attend UMBC in the fall, feels the same way.
“I can probably say that I am first generation and that my parents helped me get there,” says Badillo.
She is pursuing a career in the field of emergency medicine.
“At one point I actually considered not going to college just because of all the FAFSA stuff, but my family constantly pushed me to do my best,” she says.
These young ladies are two of 84 students in the program and are well on their way to improving their futures.
This opportunity can change the lives of these children who come from backgrounds that place them in elite society.
“Stay on the ball. Learn about all the resources your school offers and look into the programs. And get involved because you never know who can help you,” Henderson says.
