National Recognition for a Remarkable Young Man

Jacob Komar, a 13-year-old student at the University High School of Science and Engineering, was honored by a California organization Thursday for his work refurbishing computers for families in need.

But that is just the beginning of the honors being bestowed on this remarkable young man. On Dec. 5, Komar will receive a National Caring Award and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans in Washington, D.C.

Each year, the Caring Institute presents National Caring Awards to a select group of adult and young adult (ages 18 or younger) winners, who are then inducted into the Hall of Fame. Komar is one of five young adults who will receive Caring Awards for 2005.

Read more about Komar and the other 2005 Caring Award winners.

Komar founded Computers for Communities, Inc., when he was nine years old. Computers for Communities is a nonprofit organization that locates discarded computers, refurbishes them, and distributes them to those in need. In addition, Komar’s organization helps other groups around the country to start their own computer rebuilding programs. To date, Computers for Communities has distributed about 1,000 computers to economically disadvantaged individuals and families.

Read more about Computers For Comunities.

On Thursday (Nov. 17), Komar was honored as a “Downtown Magic Maker” at the annual fundraiser of the Third Street Community Center (TSCC) in San Jose, Calif. TSCC primarily serves immigrant families in downtown San Jose. Its programs include computer classes for those with little or no technology experience.

Komar, in collaboration with NVIDIA Corp., refurbished and donated 75 computers to TSCC. Komar’s work helped the organization to upgrade its computer lab and provide computers to its graduates.

“Jake Komar’s awards for humanitarian and community service are only the tip of the iceberg of his accomplishments and achievements,” said Alan Hadad, associate vice president and dean of university magnet schools. “At age 13, Jake has already completed a significant portion of a first-year college engineering curriculum at the University of Hartford, and has done so with excellent grades. His performance has been an exemplary model for the “Early College” mission of the University High School of Science and Engineering.”