TOPEKA (KSNT) – One local business is giving back to the community.
Working for you, 27 News stopped by Omni Circle Group as staff prepare for their final weeks of laptop distributions that will be taking place every Saturday through September. Omni Circle Group, with help from the Kansas Department of Commerce’s (KDOC) advancing digital opportunities to promote technology (ADOPT) program, is getting ready for its final weeks of laptop distributions in downtown Topeka.
Thanks to local businesses and a grant from the KDOC, Omni Circle Group is able to supply people with technology to thrive in whatever way they need. The ADOPT program is a part of the KDOC initiative that aims to increase digital literacy in local communities across the Sunflower State.
Omni Circle Group received approval for an ADOPT grant that its staff say was used to purchase over 300 laptops for distribution to local community members, mainly in the central park neighborhood. The laptops mostly go towards benefitting low-income residents, students and entrepreneurs.
One resident in central Topeka who received her laptop just a few weeks ago said this is a second chance at an opportunity to go back to school online.
“Being able to keep my full-time job and go back to school, like it just makes me feel successful, and having this opportunity and the organization to help me reach my goals and be successful and just have a great life for myself like that just is wonderful,” said Alyyshia Schwanz, recipient of one of the laptops.
A program like ADOPT is also giving local businesses and entrepreneurs a chance to grow and thrive, including The Computer Store, a local business in Topeka. Staff said The Computer Store is seeing upgrades through the program.
“Just to speak to kind of the ripple effect of this program, you know, our purchase with the computer store we just heard this week is allowing them to actually make some improvements and upgrades to their business building,” said India Yarborough with the ADOPT Program. ”And so, I think that it just it’s just a really impactful cycle that we’re seeing with the ADOPT program, where we are serving low-income residents or serving entrepreneurs who are building businesses. But we’re also helping a local business secure the resources they need to make improvements to their space as well.”
A submitted application is required for vetting to receive a laptop through the program. The team goes through those who demonstrate a real need or who live in a low-income area.
USD 501 allowing students to stay home during hot weather
At Omni Circle, entrepreneurs focus on both the social development side of the community as well as the economic side. The distribution is not only an opportunity to pick up the device, but also a way to learn from one of the entrepreneurs or another local business employee on tips and tricks on how to use the device.
“It’s really cool to see a program like ADOPT, meeting basic needs for people while also helping entrepreneurs and people who are building meaningful things here gain access to the resources they need to grow and thrive as well,” Yarborough said.
The distributions for approved residents will be taking place at 1301 SW Topeka Blvd. You can learn more about Omni Circle Group by calling 785-422-7459, visiting its website or by sending an email to info@omnicircle.org.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
