COMPUTERS FOR YOUTH APPOINTS BHEESHAM SETHI
CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER

 

New York, NY, October 20, 2009 – Computers for Youth, the nation's foremost leader in improving the home learning environment of low-income school-children, has named Bheesham Sethi as its Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Sethi brings nearly 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector in both the United States and India, focusing on fundraising and marketing, organizational financial management, and program development. Sethi's previous work spans issues as diverse as media responsibility, LGBT rights, environmental policy and tribal arts. Sethi served as the vice president, development at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, where he was responsible for generating revenue of over $200 million. Sethi has also held leadership positions at: Common Sense Media; the National Environmental Trust; Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); Rebuilding Together; and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

"We're thrilled to have Bheesham join our team," said Elisabeth Stock, CFY's CEO and Co-Founder. "Bheesham has a strong background in the critical intersection between philanthropy and advocacy – essential to continuing to raise national awareness about the role the Home Learning Environment in student development. Bheesham's leadership and enthusiasm will allow CFY to leverage our strengths and continue to serve our thousands of low-income families across the country."

"I have seen first-hand the important role technology can play in education and on a student's ability to succeed later in life," said Sethi. "In a time when, as a nation, the US continues to neglect at-risk and low-income middle school children, I welcome the opportunity to work towards closing that learning gap." Sethi has served on the board of directors of Immigration Equality (formerly the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force). He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Cultural Anthropology from Punjab University in Chandigarh, India.

About Computers for Youth (http://www.cfy.org)
Computers for Youth helps low-income children do better in school by improving their learning environment at home. CFY's signature program selects high-poverty middle schools and then offers all sixth-grade families both a home computer loaded with educational software and training designed to help parents become more effective learning partners. Studies confirm that CFY’s programs have significantly improved students’ test scores and class effort and have increased parents’ confidence and involvement. Since beginning operations in 1999, CFY has reached more than 39,000 students and parents from more than 50 schools in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. CFY is building a national “home learning environment” sector, including extending its affiliate network to all 50 U.S. states and working to influence national education policy. For more information, please visit www.cfy.org.

For more information, contact:
Nathan Boltseridge, Grants and Communications Manager
212-563-7300 x149 or nboltseridge@cfy.org