Feb. 8, 2011 -- CSUB-Antelope Valley has donated six computers to Change Lanes Youth Support Services, a Lancaster-based organization that provides counseling, mentoring and tutoring to at-risk youth. Six sets of desktop computers, monitors, mice and keyboards were delivered today at Change Lanes, 1122 West Avenue L-12, Suite 102. The organization is still seeking software to complete the computers.

"We're in a generation where technology is a huge part of our daily lifestyle. Many teachers expect students to complete homework assignments on computers. We need these computers to help the kids with homework, assist with school research, teach basic computer skills and communicate with mentors," said Cynthia Spears, Executive Director of Change Lanes.

The organization serves monthly between 30 and 40 youth ages 8 to 18 who are referred by the juvenile probation department and the juvenile court. The mission of Change Lanes is to help these youth establish education and career goals, develop positive support systems, raise self esteem and reinforce positive values through public service and leadership.

CSUB-AV partners with Change Lanes to provide student interns to mentor and tutor the youth. Through CSUB's focus on community engagement, the college students get real-world work experience while also performing community service.

The computers being donated are older models that otherwise would have been sent for recycling.

"This is a different type of recycling," said Jess Deegan, Interim Associate Vice President for CSUB-AV. "As a graduate of CSUB, one of my missions is to give back to the community and one of the ways I can do that is by facilitating gifts like this."

For more information about Change Lanes and to donate software for the computers, call 661-948-2555 or visit www.changelanes.org. For more information about CSUB's Antelope Valley campus, call 661-952-500 or visit www.csub.edu/av.