The
Idea Behind ComputerCorps -
In 1990, the co-founders Ron Norton and Judy
Feaster gave a computer to a 72 year old widowed gentleman.
This event dramatically changed his life by providing him with an exciting new purpose for
living. For the next 8 years, he spent hundreds of hours learning, teaching and helping other seniors
about computers.
The ComputerCorps organization was formed in 1997 when a group of volunteers
got together to help put recycled computers back into the community and not into
the landfills. These older generation computers were tested, repaired,
refurbished, upgraded and then donated at little or no cost to seniors, at-risk
children, low-income families, displaced workers and disabled individuals.
The ComputerCorps organization started with 2 volunteers.
Since 1997, more than 5,000 volunteers have donated more than 500,000 hours to
helping others obtain and learn about computers.
The ComputerCorps organization is organized exclusively for charitable,
environmental and educational purposes.
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Recycling of Equipment-
The organization receives donations of computer equipment; CPU's, monitors, printers,
fax machines, copiers, components and parts
from individuals, businesses and community organizations. This donated equipment
is then assessed and sorted
by technicians for usability as a whole or for parts. Volunteer staff
then disassemble, test, repair, upgrade and reassemble the equipment to create
refurbished computers, printers, and monitors. Unusable parts are recycled or
sold as scrap in order to reduce landfill waste. Non-usable or surplus
items are auctioned or sold to generate revenue to purchase parts and pay the
light bills.
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Reuse of Equipment -
ComputerCorps donates refurbished computer equipment to deserving individuals,
organizations and schools at little or no cost. Refurbishing of equipment has
been an on going project since inception, carried out by trained volunteers with varied
backgrounds.
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Computer Training -
Software and Hardware-
ComputerCorps uses refurbished computer equipment and provides computer
training in basic to intermediate
computer technical skills, both software and hardware at our facility.
ComputerCorps currently provides computer training to low income,
at-risk youth and their families, physically or mentally challenged individuals,
displaced workers seeking to develop or improve technical skills, technically
challenged work force, and senior community over 50 years of age. This training has been on going since inception.
The
organization facilitates:
individual volunteer opportunities for
individuals to volunteer to assist in the training of others, as well as
community sponsorship for recipients of
computers and training. Classroom training is available. Individual training for
persons with special needs or
circumstances can be arranged also.
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Current Recipient Programs -
ComputerCorps has established some primary Recipient Programs to provide computers and
training to others:
1.
'Every Home A Classroom' Program (EHAC)TM
- that provides a free computer system for
qualifying families of school aged children without a
working computer in their home.
2.
'Every Home A Classroom' Techs-In-Training (TECHS)TM
Program to provide hands-on
technical training for individuals from 15 to 90 years of
age.
3.
'Every Home A Classroom'
TechCamp (CAMP)TM
Program for 10-15 year old students during the
summer.
5.
'Every Home A Classroom'
via (Volunteering)TM
provides complete computer systems for individuals that
can volunteer their
time in exchange for equipment and training;
These programs allow individuals to train in the use
of computers, obtain a computer, train in the use of software programs, and
train in refurbishing and recycling of computers.
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Financial
Policy -
ComputerCorps’
programs are structured so that the recipient can
qualify for several types of financial assistance and/or
free services. Some recipients can earn volunteer
credits to use in conjunction with a small cash donation to apply toward
the acquisition of equipment or services. Our charges for products and services
are priced at a competitive rate, usually below market.
We provide a limited warranty on most equipment and
services that we provide for the community. A
recipient can decide what services and/or volunteer time
they can donate to help support the mission and goals of
our organization.
