News Release: New Cox Innovation Lab at Boys & Girls Club Provides Opportunities for Local Kids
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CARPINTERIA, CA – (October 4, 2024) – United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County celebrated the opening of a new technology-filled Innovation Lab at its Carpinteria club made possible thanks to a $25,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. The Cox Innovation Lab was unveiled with a grand opening ceremony held by Cox Communications and the United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County in Carpinteria on October 3 which included Super Bowl Champion, Author and Digital Literacy Champion Malcolm Mitchell.
Mitchell was joined by Tony Vallejo, Board Member, United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, Das Williams, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, Representing District 1, Mónica J. Solórzano, City of Carpinteria, Councilmember Representing District 1, Esmeralda Estrada, Representing the Office of Congressmen Salud Carbajal, Geordie Scully, Representing the Office Senator Monique Limon, and Wade T. Nomura, City of Carpinteria, Councilmember At-Large.
Why It Matters
The donation is part of greater gifts from the James M. Cox Foundation and Cox Communications to open 11 additional Cox Innovation Labs in Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada and Virginia; develop STEM programming; and provide training for Boys & Girls Club staff this year.
The Cox Innovation Labs are the cornerstone of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Club Tech program, which provides students access to curriculum to advance their computer literacy skills and help bridge the digital divide for children without access to a computer or internet connection at home.
“This grant will allow us to offer a very diverse STEM program to our members,” said Michael Baker, chief executive officer for the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County. “The ongoing relationship we have had with James M. Cox Foundation has been incredibly impactful for our organization.”
In Carpinteria the Cox Innovation Lab will give local Boys & Girls Club members the freedom to explore their interest in STEM while providing those without a computer or internet access a way to get connected and manage through distance learning. The lab includes laptop computers, furniture, 3D printers, Wifi and internet services provided by Cox.
A Longstanding Partnership
Cox’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America began in the 1970s and expanded significantly in 2004 with the launch of innovation labs, making 2024 a milestone year that celebrates two decades of growth and impact. Today, over 100 Cox Innovation Labs operate nationwide, benefiting thousands of kids and teens in Clubs across the nation each year.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this new lab and 20 years of innovation, thanks to the generosity and vision of the James M. Cox Foundation,” said Cox Communications Market Vice President Kirsten McLaughlin. “Every child deserves the opportunity to dream big, and as a longstanding partner of United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County. Cox remains committed to providing Santa Barbara the resources our community needs to help build a better future for the next generation.”
What’s Next
Cox and Boys & Girls Clubs of America will soon announce an exciting interactive campaign to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the labs right here in Carpinteria.
In addition, Cox continues to make great strides in expanding broadband access in the Santa Barbara region. Through community partnerships with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, Connect2Compete (C2C) and CARES Act funding, Cox is moving the needle on bridging the digital divide for families and students across the communities it serves.
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-powered networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced managed IT and cloud 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 managed IT, cloud and fiber-based network solutions that support connected environments, unique hospitality experiences and diverse applications for nearly 370,000 businesses nationwide. For more information, please visit www.coxbusiness.com.
About The James M. Cox Foundation
The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises’ founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio’s first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States.
The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas, including: conservation and environment; early childhood education; empowering families and individuals for success; and health.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 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 leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,400 Clubs serve more than 3 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. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and X.