Like many county employees, Pati Archeleta was ready to upgrade her old Nextel Blackberry for a better equipped Smartphone. Before turning over her old model to county IT, Archeleta wondered if she could request her phone be donated to one of the many juveniles she sees everyday without a cell phone.
“It’s so helpful when the youth has a cell phone. They can program important phone numbers and appointment times in the phone,” observed Archelta. “It also provides an added measure of safety to youth who are navigating dangerous situations or domestic violence.”
Working with Dave Koch, Assistant Director of Juvenile Services, Patty Iwamato, Juvenile Court Counselor, Juvenile Services, and Muriel Boeglin, Information Specialist, Information Technology, Archeleta has now acquired over 20 recycled blackberries that will be distributed among at-risk youth across the Juvenile Services Division. Each phone is wiped clean so the previous user’s data is no longer available. However, the phone remains functional for 911 calls, storing contacts and calendaring.
A donated phone has already assisted a young female traveling to and from the RAD program and community college. While she worked to break away from her previous life in human trafficking, she would periodically find herself being followed by her former pimp. The phone has brought her added comfort that she can reach out for help should he reappear in the future.
“It’s so nice to know that we will have our own supply of 911 phones to protect our youth”, adds Archeleta. Those who would like to donate their phone to a juvenile recipient should contact Muriel Boeglin or Pati Archeleta. Staff who know of a youth in need of a phone, should contact Patty Iwamato to make a request.