what is computers for charity?
DESCRIPTION
Overview of Computers for CharityTRANSCRIPT
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Computers for Charity
■ Our Mission■ The Problem of e-Waste■ Recycling?■ What We Do■ The Digital Divide■ A Solution■ Local Mission/Global
Vision■ What We Can Do For
You■ How You Can Help Us■ Current Projects■ Summary■ Contact us
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What is Computers for Charity?
Our mission is to reduce the electronic waste in our landfills by taking donations of computers and related accessories and refurbishing them.
These repaired computers can then be distributed to individuals and other non-profits, providing access to computer technology and bridging the 'digital divide'.
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The Problem of e-Waste
Electrical and electronic equipment are made up of a multitude of components including some toxic substances.
These can have an adverse impact on human health and be hazardous to the environment if not handled properly.
Often, these hazards arise due to the improper recycling and disposal processes used.
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An Alarming Trende-Waste shows a higher growth rate than any other
category of municipal waste. Overall, between 2007 and2008, total volumes of municipal waste DECREASED,while e‐waste volumes continue to increase.
In 2008, we generated 3.16 million tons of e W‐ aste in theU.S. Of this amount, only 430,000 tons or 13.6 % wasrecycled, according to the EPA. The rest was trashed inlandfills or incinerators. (The total generated increased from3.01 million tons of e‐waste generated in 2007, but therecovery rate stayed at 13.6%
e-Waste is routinely exported by developed countries todeveloping ones, often in violation of the international law.In the US, it is estimated that 50-80 percent of the wastecollected for recycling is being exported in this way.
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Hazards of e-Waste
LeadPoly-chlorinated BiphenylsMercuryCadmiumArsenicZincChromiumSeleniumBrominated Flame Retardants
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Did You Know?
Just one cell Just one cell phone can phone can
pollute up topollute up to
132,000 132,000 litersliters
of drinking water.of drinking water.
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Improper Disposal in Wood County
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Recycling?Most recycling centers simply disassemble the equipment, shred it and melt it down for the precious metals and other raw materials the computers contain.
‘Recycling‘ in this manner consumes 20 times more energy than reuse.
Worse than that, some unscrupulous recycling companies sell the equipment to undeveloped countries where it is recycled by poor workers in an unhealthy and environmentally unsafe manner.
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What We Do
We collect computers, accessories, parts and software and test and do the repair work to create functional systems that are then donated to worthwhile causes and individuals for free.
Every computer dumped into a landfill, shredded or shipped overseas, represents a missed opportunity to provide Information-Age tools to individuals and organizations across the digital divide.
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What We Do (cont)
We work to promote recycling, promote reuse, and to promote awareness of the environmental impact of improperly disposed electronic waste.
We also strive to help organizations cut costs and utilize their current technology resources more efficiently.
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Tear Down & Recycle Day
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The Digital Divide
The term digital divide refers to a situation in which some people do not have the same degree of access to modern digital Information and Communication Technologies and, for this reason, do not have the same opportunities for social and economic development.
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Computers and EducationChildren who have computers at home have a mean score in mathematics of 514 points compared to 453 points for those without.
Children without access to computers at home score one proficiency level below those who do have access to computers.
Students who have access to computer technology score higher on the SAT.
Access to a home computer increases the likelihood that children will graduate from high school.
Statistically, the handicapped show a measurable cognitive benefit form having access to a computer.
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Race and Gender Concerns
Only 50.6 percent of African Americans and 48.7 percent of Latinos have access to home computers, compared with 74.6 percent of Caucasians.
It is projected that from 2008 to 2016 there will be a 29% increase in workforce demands for system analysts, a 37% increase in demand for jobs for database administrators, and a 38% increase in the availability of jobs for software engineers.
Jobs in the information technology sector pay almost 80 percent more than the average private sector wage. Despite increasing demands, women and minorities remain underrepresented in computing fields.
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A Solution
It is one of our goals is to spread foundational and comprehensive literacy about computer technology and Open Source software, providing training and workshops as needed.
We also provide computers designed specifically for children to familiarize them with computers and provide a framework to enhance their education.
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Local Mission, Global VisionWe have been able to provide almost 1000 computers to those in need so far.
Most of these were to families right here in the North West Ohio area.
We were also able to send over 200 older laptop computers to a mission in the Philippines that rescues children from poverty and provides them with a home and education.
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What We Can Do For You
We are interested in working with other non-profits, churches and charities that support service and volunteering programs to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement.
We can provide your agency or clients of your agency with the custom made technology solutions to meet your needs.
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What We Can Do For You (cont)
Whenever viable, our volunteer staff will repair, refurbish, and properly prepare donated computers for placement, free of charge, to non-profit organizations. We also provide vouchers to charities so they can send clients directly to us for computer placement.
Sometimes a non-profit will just need some PCs whereas others may need cabling, custom or off-the-shelf software, training, help in setting up a computer lab, technical advice and so on. Often, they have no idea what they want or need and we try to help them determine that.
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What We Can Do For You (cont)The Computers for Charity volunteers try to meet as many of these needs as we can. As volunteers relying on donated equipment and limited resources this is not always possible. But we will give it our best effort and assist you as much as possible.
Computers for Charity serves as a place where people from the non-profits (as well as students and other members of the community) can come and learn how to build, troubleshoot and repair PCs as well as gain other computer knowledge.
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Partner With Us
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Current Partners
Wood County Area
Ministries
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How You Can Help UsVolunteer: Since we are a 100% charitable organization we are always in need of volunteers to help with our mission.
You don't have to be a computer guru to help the cause. You only have to be willing to learn the basics and help in the area you feel most comfortable in.
Volunteers are the heart of our organization.
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Volunteer Positions Available
Computer Technicians: Work with hardware andsoftware: Windows, Linux and Mac. Office Admins/Assistants: Perform client intake,answer phones, data entry: MS Office, Open Officeand other office software.
Marketing Specialist: Develop and implement acomprehensive marketing plan and budget.
Fund Raisers: Develop fund raising strategies andand identify and motivate contributors.
Grant Writers: Source potential grants from private,state and federal sources. Write or assist with writinggrants.
General Assistants: Loading/unloading equipment, driving, organization and cleanup
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How You Can Help Us (cont)
Donate Equipment:
Most of our donations come from individuals who are looking for an environmentally friendly and humanitarian way to dispose of their old computers.
Help us to get the word out to your places of employment and businesses in the community. We can provide them with a tax deduction for their donations as opposed to them having to pay for disposal!
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Donation Guidelines■ Desktop computers: Pentium IV (700 MHz and up)■ Laptop computers: Pentium 3, Celeron or better■ Macs: i Macs, e Macs, Power Macs, and Mac Books (500 MHz and up)■ Monitors: Flat Panel (LCD)■ Printers: Working printers only■ Hard Drives: 10 Gig or larger■ Memory: 256 MB or larger■ CDR-Rom Drives: 32x or better■ DVD/DVDR-Rom Drives 4x or better■ Networking equipment: NIC's, hubs, switches, routers, and wireless
(working only)■ Software licenses: The "Certificate of Authenticity" for Windows XP, Vista,
7 and Microsoft Office products■ OEM media: The CDs that came with the computer. Microsoft
Windows,Office and the Recovery/Restore CDs■ Miscellanious: Keyboards, mice, power supplies, power strips, cat 5
cable, CDRs and DVDRs■ Ink Jet Cartridges: Dell, Lexmark, Toshiba, HP, etc (no refilled or generic
cartridges)■ Cell Phones: Any type
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Donate Money
Though we usually can operate on hardware donations alone, we still occasionally need to purchase parts to be able to provide functional systems.
In order to provide the best quality service and to fund some of the current projects we have on the table we need funding.
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Current Projects
Laptops for Students:
We have over 30 laptop computers that require hard disks and power adapters for us to refurbish them.
These will be donated to students who need a more mobile computer solution.
The only other option would be to charge about $30.00 per computer.
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Current Projects (cont)Spanish to English Computers:
We will be providing computers to migrant families who are learning the English language.
The software they have purchased requires the Windows Operating System.
We can purchase the OS at our Microsoft Registered Refurbisher rate of $10.00 per license but we have to order in bulk.
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Current Projects (cont)Computers for Seniors:
We will be setting up a computer lab for a Senior Center in Toledo.
We have the computers in stock and will be able to set up the lab with 6 computers.
We will need to purchase wireless network cards and a wireless router to facilitate internet connections on these systems at the location.
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Current Projects (cont)Custom System Builds:
We will be teaching an advanced class on how to build a computer. These will be high-end systems that the students can take with them when they are done.
We have the basic components but still need to purchase the motherboards and processors.
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Current Projects (cont)Computers for Christmas:
Last Christmas we were able to provide over 70 computers, loaded with educational software and gift wrapped to families in the community.
Unfortunately this year we do not have the needed hardware or monetary donations to have a Computers for Christmas program.
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Computers for Christmas 2009
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Computers for Christmas 2009
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To Sum It Up
■ When it comes to computers, don't dispose them, donate them!
■ Reusing computers benefits communities, helps us use valuable materials wisely, and keeps working PCs out of landfills, shredders or from being dumped on poor developing nations.
■ Computers are a valuable tool for improving childrens education, enhancing the lives of the handicapped and uplifting the plight of the poor.
■ Charities can partner with us to be able to obtain computers and technology services for themselves and their clients.
■ We are actively seeking volunteers, hardware donations and monetary donations.
■ Without the support and involvement of other community organizations we cannot fulfill our mission. Get involved today!
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