Boys Hope Girls Hope is mobilizing collaboration and technology to better serve its scholars in the U.S. and Latin America, thanks to corporate partners who have helped the organization rise to the challenges of 2020. These efforts are being further enhanced this month with a significant product donation from Cisco, a worldwide leader in IT, networking, and cybersecurity solutions.
AUTHOR
Shawna Brinson
“Cisco’s purpose is to power an inclusive future, and one way we do this is by enabling nonprofits to leverage technology to reach more people and have a deeper impact,” said Peter Tavernise, Director of Corporate Affairs at Cisco. “We are optimistic that our product grant will help Boys Hope Girls Hope securely connect the young people it serves so they can overcome barriers, attend college, and achieve academic excellence and career success.”
This contribution will significantly boost wireless internet connection speeds at affiliate sites and serve an increased number of devices at a time when more scholars and team members are called upon to be on video conferences for remote learning and work – often simultaneously. It will also greatly improve cybersecurity for scholars and team members during a time of increased hacking and other online risks.
“This grant will have an incredible impact on Boys Hope Girls Hope. We are truly grateful for Cisco’s investment in our scholars and organization,” said Boys Hope Girls Hope President and CEO Kristin Ostby. “This represents a complex and coordinated effort in the spirit of One Team One Mission to support Boys Hope Girls Hope’s ability to adapt and be nimble in fulfilling our mission in these unprecedented times.”
This process involved Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters team members working with each of Boys Hope Girls Hope’s 16 U.S. and Latin American affiliates to better understand each affiliate’s setup and challenges and then bringing technology partners into the conversation to ensure that Cisco implementation would be leveraged to the fullest.
Cisco and World Wide Technology leaders helped Boys Hope Girls Hope to specify solutions for the U.S. sites. Latin American cybersecurity company SISAP provided advisory services via its President and Boys Hope Girls Hope Guatemala Board Member, Mauricio Nanne, in Guatemala.
“Boys Hope Girls Hope creates a tremendous impact in the lives of very determined and committed young people, and I’m happy to connect essential people and partners in sustaining a community of hope,” said Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Chairman and World Wide Technology President Joe Koenig.
The awarded package of Cisco Meraki and Umbrella Security solutions will serve homes and programs throughout the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network. It will provide unified management of the entire IT network from a centralized dashboard, and allow Boys Hope Girls Hope to enforce device security policies, deploy software and apps, and perform remote, live troubleshooting on a large number of managed devices.
Boys Hope Girls Hope Manager of Technology Services, Pete Schweiss, is in the process of coordinating the rollout over the next month with affiliate leaders and volunteer support from World Wide Technology. The response to the Cisco donation has been very enthusiastic among the affiliates who will soon be receiving the technology.
“I cannot begin to express how much gratitude I feel,” said Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois Executive Director Karen Croteau. “I know this technology boost took time, logistical gymnastics, and expertise. I know that was a need on my wish list and most likely other affiliates –if we only had the resources. Cisco’s support is a tremendous benefit to our work.”