PEF hosts event at Pasadena High School as Google, YouTube, and partners deliver vital support to students and teachers
The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) was proud to host a powerful gathering at Pasadena High School that brought together students, educators, community leaders, and technology partners to support schools recovering from this year’s devastating wildfires.
“These are not just laptops. They are tools of recovery — and a reminder to our students that they are seen, supported, and believed in.” — Kerry Franco, Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation
At the event, Google and YouTube announced $3 million in new recovery funding to support students and educators across greater Los Angeles. This investment includes more than 3,000 Chromebooks for Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) students, as well as devices for schools affected by the Palisades fire. A back-to-school matching campaign through DonorsChoose.org will also launch this fall to help educators rebuild their classrooms with essential supplies.
PEF is deeply grateful to Google and YouTube for their commitment to student recovery, and proud to work in close partnership with the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation (GLAEF), the Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation, and the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to bring timely support directly to students and teachers.
“The strength of this effort comes from collaboration,” said Patrick Conyers, Executive Director of the Pasadena Educational Foundation. “We’re grateful to be part of a regional partnership that places students at the center and ensures our school communities are not alone in the recovery process.”
The event featured 4th grade students from Norma Coombs Elementary and high school students from the App Academy at Pasadena High School. App Academy students also took part in a special “Careers with Google” panel, gaining insights into the range of opportunities available in technology and innovation.
U.S. Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) joined the event and emphasized the importance of long-term investment in education. “This generous contribution from Google and YouTube will be instrumental in rebuilding our classrooms and empowering this future generation of American citizens and innovators,” she said.
Throughout the day, students participated in a hands-on coding workshop led by Google representatives and learned about FireSat—a pioneering AI-powered satellite system developed to detect and help prevent wildfires with unprecedented speed.
As the region continues to recover, PEF remains committed to ensuring students are equipped with the tools and inspiration they need to learn, lead, and thrive—today and into the future.
