NICKELODEON’S THE HALO EFFECT HONORS FAIRFAX, VA, TEEN CHRISTOPHER CAO
IN “REBOOT FOR YOUTH,” PREMIERING FRIDAY, JULY 22, AT 8:30 P.M. (ET/PT)
Cao Recognized for Commitment to Providing Underprivileged Children
with Access to Technology
Follow The HALO Effect on Twitter @NickelodeonHALO and Facebook #HALOEffectChallenge
NEW YORK–JULY 20, 2016– Nickelodeon recognizes extraordinary teen Christopher Cao for his commitment to providing underprivileged children with access to technology, in an all-new episode of The HALO Effect, “Reboot For Youth,” premiering on Friday, July 22, at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The episode profiles 16-year-old Cao, who combines his knowledge of computer-building and programming with his passion to help his community in Fairfax, Va. Airing monthly, The HALO Effect highlights teens who “help and lead others” (HALO) in their community and inspire others to do the same. “Reboot for Youth” will encore Monday, July 25, at 8pm ET/PT on Nicktoons and Saturday, July 30, at 9:30pm ET/PT on TeenNick.
Cao’s interest in rebuilding computers for families in need started in 2013 when he was a volunteer at GIVE, a free tutoring program for low-income families. While tutoring, Cao met a young student who did not have a computer at home and was forced to use the public library computers each night to complete homework. In 2014, Cao decided to start “Reboot for Youth,” an organization focused on improving educational opportunities for underprivileged children in his community, through increased access to technology. The organization reaches out to local businesses to donate old or broken computers, which Cao and his team then diagnose, rebuild and distribute to those in need.
Since its inception, “Reboot for Youth” has distributed over 150 computers within his community, and has introduced similar projects around the world in Kenya, Costa Rica, Vietnam and Cambodia. In recognition of his dedication and hard work, Nickelodeon will award a $10,000 grant to Cao’s organization.
In each episode of The HALO Effect, the profiled teen will issue a “HALO Effect Challenge,” a call-to-action encouraging inspired viewers to participate in their cause and join the HALO movement. As part of Cao’s “HALO Effect Challenge,” he is encouraging everyone to turn an old household item into something new, and post a photo of their item using the hashtag #HALOEffectChallenge. For more information on Cao and his challenge, viewers can visit www.nick.com/haloeffect.
The HALO Effect launched in 2013 as a year-round initiative recognizing one deserving teen every month for their work to help and lead others in their community. The initiative was built upon Nickelodeon’s HALO Awards, an annual concert event honoring young community leaders with a grant for their organization and scholarship funds. To date, more than 50 teens across the country have been honored and have received more than $400,000 in grants to fund their non-profit organizations.
The HALO Effect series expands Nickelodeon’s ongoing commitment to the HALO movement by giving an in-depth look into the inspirational stories of teens who are eager to share the issues and projects important to them and excited to engage others to achieve impact. The monthly series is hosted by Sydney Park (Instant Mom) and executive produced by Nick Cannon and NCredible Entertainment, as well as Morgan Spurlock, Richard Arlook, Jeremy Chilnick, Matthew Galkin and Ethan Goldman of Warrior Poets.
Nickelodeon, now in its 37th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
Watch a sneak-peek from the brand-new The HALO Effect, "Reboot For Youth", here on Nick.com, and find more information about Christopher Cao's good cause here on rebootforyouth.org!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and The HALO Effect News and Highlights!
