National Directory of Qualified Technology Reuse OrganizationsNov 22, 2017 – Laptop Upcycle, a not-for-profit initiative in Montclair, NJ that provides laptops to low income students without computer home access, is pleased to announce their partnership with the National Cristina Foundation (NCF) and the Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR). “One of our student interns discovered that many corporations direct their donation and IT refurbishment programs to partners of the National Cristina Foundation,” said Sarah Damaskos, a co-founder of Laptop Upcycle. “Once we understood the value that the Cristina Foundation provides as a national non-profit clearinghouse for used computers and related technology, we were excited about establishing Laptop Upcycle as a resource for corporate donations of laptops that will go directly to Montclair students in need. As a parent of students in middle school and high school, I see firsthand how the student’s daily access to the electronic the classroom is a factor in high school achievement and success. I don’t understand how students without a home computer can actually get their homework done.” The National Cristina Foundation focuses on corporate sustainability by encouraging business practices that safeguard negative influences on the environment. By extending a computer’s lifespan, reuse keeps chemicals and other hazardous waste out of our waterways and landfills. By redirecting technology to qualified charities and non-profits such as Laptop Upcycle, companies can benefit from the sustainable and ethical benefits of instead resorting to traditional methods of IT asset disposal. “About 50% of our donated laptops need some level of technical know-how,” explains Mike Brown, Laptop Upcycle Strategic Director and volunteer. “Some of the computers just need a new battery or a replacement power supply. Other times they need a more techie understanding of the components to end up with a usable machine. As an example, for computers that are low on RAM, we switch to a modified version of UBUNTU imaging software so that the computer loads and loads quickly. Realistically, for most of the students, getting online to the Google Classroom account, web browsing and some minimal hard drive space for saving documents is all they need, so we try to make sure we test each machine thoroughly, replace what can be cost-effectively substituted and then make sure their laptop is as robust as possible before delivering it to the high school or one of the middle schools. I am thrilled to have access to the AFTRR community and learn how they’ve removed obstacles we often encounter with a wide variety of donated hardware.” AFTRR supports the non-profit refurbishing and reuse community that provides low-cost or free technology to those in need. All members are National Cristina Foundation and are focused on sharing the collective expertise of organization that provide the technical refurbishing services in support of non-profit entities. To donate personal or corporate laptops, go to www.LaptopUpcycle.org. Donors receive a tax-deductible receipt for each usable, donated computer. For Montclair middle school or high school students without home computer access, students and families should contact their school guidance counselor or go to http://www.laptopupcycle.org/get-technology.html to apply for a laptop and/or wifi. Laptop Upcycle’s mission is to eliminate technology impediments contributing to Montclair’s academic achievement gap. Program volunteers provide outreach, collect, refresh and distribute donated private and corporate laptop donations to low-income middle and high school students who do not have home computer access. Laptop Upcycle is a program of HackNCraftNJ, Inc (Montclair, NJ), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Visit www.LaptopUpcycle.org for more information or follow us on https://www.facebook.com/laptopupcycle/ for announcements and success stories. The National Cristina Foundation works to promote technology reuse by educating businesses and the public that technology resources coming out of their first place of use can be given a second productive life for developing human potential. Its online non-profit locator enables donors of used computers and other electronic hardware to select a local charity or school in their area of the country they choose to receive their donation of equipment. Learn more at www.cristina.org.
The Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR) consists of a growing number of nonprofit technology refurbishers seeking to increase the awareness of the contributions of their organizations, individually and collectively, to a wide range of populations in need. AFTRR seeks to establish a common national voice for all such organizations as well as affiliate organizations who stand to benefit directly or indirectly from an increase in the volume and availability of low cost and no cost computers for their respective populations. Learn more at http:www.aftrr.org/ Comments are closed.
|
Archives
January 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed