Trenton Digital Initiative provides Laptops to Minding Our Business' Summer Program Middle Sch

TRENTON, N.J. - May 16, 2017 - PRLog -- Minding Our Business

         2083 Lawrenceville Road

         Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

         609-731-9311

         kevin@minding-our-business.com

Trenton Digital Initiative provides Free Laptops to Minding Our

Business' Summer Program Middle School Students

Trenton, NJ – May 16, 2017 – The Trenton Digital Initiative recognized Middle-school students, who participated in and successfully completed the Summer Program offered by Minding Our Business, by donating reconditioned laptop computers at a dinner and ceremony on May 5, 2017 at  Turning Point United Methodist Church in Trenton.

Trenton Digital Initiative (TDI) helps to bridge the digital divide by distributing free computers and offering low-cost, high speed Internet to economically challenged Trenton families so that children can do their homework on the Internet, and adults can participate in the Internet economy. TDI is a program of Mid-Jersey Center for Economic Development of MID Jersey Chamber of Commerce, which restores and refurbishes donated computers prior to distributing to students and families in need. All computers come equipped with a word processor, spreadsheet program, presentation program and web browser. TDI has also partnered with Comcast to offer affordable Internet when needed. Pamela Sims Jones, TDI representative who attended the celebration and presented each Summer Program student with a laptop said, "I am thrilled to be here on behalf of TDI and present each of these amazing students with a computer. These laptops will help students academically and with their future business ventures."

Minding Our Business (MOB), a Lawrenceville nonprofit, offers a four-week Summer Program each year that provides 35 Mercer County youth with the opportunity to start and run a business. Middle school students participate in 30 days of training in entrepreneurship at Rider University and run their businesses throughout the summer. "The intensive training program also challenges students to improve their reading, math and communication skills," says MOB Executive Director, Kevin Wortham. "The experiential component involves four Summer Market Fairs at different sites in Trenton where students run their businesses, and prior to each market fair, students go on a trip to purchase merchandise for their ventures and participate in a Business Coaching Session," says Wortham.

August Crawford has participated in the Summer Program for the past three years. Her business, 'August's Bake Shop'; makes cookies, cupcakes and brownies from scratch. "The MOB Summer Program has given me a sense of independence and self-assurance, that I can stand on my own and sell my own products. It has also helped me academically—I love the program!" says Crawford. Another Summer Program student, Korein Ammons, uses goats milk to make his product—soap. "The Summer Program helped me understand exactly how to run a business, set goals, and prepare budgets and financial statements. The laptop from TDI will help me academically and make running my business so much easier and more efficient," says Ammons.

After the presentation of computers to all the students, a light dinner was served where parents, students and other friends of MOB were able to share a meal and celebrate the generosity of TDI and the success of the Summer Program students. As students became reaquainted with one another, Jocelyn Alvarez shared her experience in the Summer Program. "My business is selling centerpieces that light up. I call my product, 'Natural Lights', says Alvarez. "I recommend MOB's Summer Program because you learn so much and meet many different people. The program helped me gain confidence and improve my math skills. The laptop from TDI will help me even more with my school work as well as my business".

In addition to the Summer Program at Rider University for low-income Middle-school students, MOB also offers a 12-week after-school Service-Learning Program, which also emphasizes entrepreneurship training, as well as math, reading, communication and life skills. If you are interested in obtaining more information about MOB's programs or would like to make a donation to support our efforts, please visit the Minding Our Business website at www.minding-our-business.com or call Executive Director Kevin Wortham at 609-731-9311.

If you know of someone who can donate a computer or is in need of one, please call TDI at 609-689-9960 ext. 16 or email at tdi@midjerseychamber.org.