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In the state of Nevada approximately 30,000 computers are thrown in the trash each year. Computer Corps, a Carson City-based nonprofit organization sees this as a valuable community resource.
The Computer Corps mission is to provide access to computer technology and skills training for under-served families, while eliminating electronic waste in our nation's landfills.
At Computer Corps' warehouse, electronic waste such as computers, monitors, printers, and faxes, otherwise destined for a landfill, are repaired or broken down for reusable parts.
Many of their donated computers are in working condition or only require small repairs.
The computers that are repaired or rebuilt at the warehouse are used by Computer Corps to provide computer access and training to under-served families, through a program called "Every Home a Classroom." Families who qualify for this program are not simply given a computer. Instead, they earn a computer in return for pledging 10 hours per adult family member of volunteer time in the local schools.
Computer Corps estimates that each computer earned through "Every Home a Classroom" generates the equivalent of $700-$800 in volunteer labor for the local schools.
Computer Corps also provides Internet-ready computer systems to schools and community organizations, such as nursing homes, Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCAs.
The beauty of Computer Corps mission is that it takes a source of waste and reuses it to the benefit of the environment, the community, and local organizations. Although they are incredibly resourceful and operate mostly on volunteer labor, there is still a need for some monetary input to keep the program running. The average cost to Computer Corps for each computer that it rebuilds is $93. This cost does not include the value of donated and recycled materials used in the rebuilt systems.
Computer Corps relies on several sources of income to raise money.
First, there is a computer goods thrift store at the warehouse in Carson City where rebuilt computers are sold at a discount. Second, donations that are received by Computer Corps are sometimes obscure pieces of technology that are not easily used in the "Every Home a Classroom" program.
These items are still accepted by Computer Corps, because it keeps them out of a landfill. In order to deal with these mystery items, they have a volunteer who finds out what they are and sells them on eBay, which earns a little money for the program. And finally, one of the most important sources of income is the Family Sponsorship Program.
Sponsors pledge by the family, and for each $93 pledge a computer is kept out of a landfill, a family gets a computer, and a school receives at least 10 hours of support.
While these are the direct benefits of the program, there are other benefits such as improved student performance when parents get involved at school, and improved English and reading skills when children have access to the Internet.
Some people are reluctant to donate their computers since most personal computers contain sensitive personal information. These hard drives are smashed and then sent to the landfill to protect information.
However, Computer Corps guarantees that all information contained on donated hard drives is safe and confidential.
Any hard drive donations that are reused are erased to Department of Defense specifications.
IVGID Waste Not collects e-waste to be donated to Computer Corps every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5pm at 1220 Sweetwater Rd. For more information call the Waste Not Hotline at (775) 832-1284.
More information about Computer Corps' programs, including the Family Sponsorship Program, can be picked up during the collection times or by visiting the Computer Corps Web site at www.computercorps.org.
Alice Stover is an Americorps Volunteer at Incline Village General Improvement District's Waste Not program.
The Computer Corps mission is to provide access to computer technology and skills training for under-served families, while eliminating electronic waste in our nation's landfills.
At Computer Corps' warehouse, electronic waste such as computers, monitors, printers, and faxes, otherwise destined for a landfill, are repaired or broken down for reusable parts.
Many of their donated computers are in working condition or only require small repairs.
The computers that are repaired or rebuilt at the warehouse are used by Computer Corps to provide computer access and training to under-served families, through a program called "Every Home a Classroom." Families who qualify for this program are not simply given a computer. Instead, they earn a computer in return for pledging 10 hours per adult family member of volunteer time in the local schools.
Computer Corps estimates that each computer earned through "Every Home a Classroom" generates the equivalent of $700-$800 in volunteer labor for the local schools.
Computer Corps also provides Internet-ready computer systems to schools and community organizations, such as nursing homes, Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCAs.
The beauty of Computer Corps mission is that it takes a source of waste and reuses it to the benefit of the environment, the community, and local organizations. Although they are incredibly resourceful and operate mostly on volunteer labor, there is still a need for some monetary input to keep the program running. The average cost to Computer Corps for each computer that it rebuilds is $93. This cost does not include the value of donated and recycled materials used in the rebuilt systems.
Computer Corps relies on several sources of income to raise money.
First, there is a computer goods thrift store at the warehouse in Carson City where rebuilt computers are sold at a discount. Second, donations that are received by Computer Corps are sometimes obscure pieces of technology that are not easily used in the "Every Home a Classroom" program.
These items are still accepted by Computer Corps, because it keeps them out of a landfill. In order to deal with these mystery items, they have a volunteer who finds out what they are and sells them on eBay, which earns a little money for the program. And finally, one of the most important sources of income is the Family Sponsorship Program.
Sponsors pledge by the family, and for each $93 pledge a computer is kept out of a landfill, a family gets a computer, and a school receives at least 10 hours of support.
While these are the direct benefits of the program, there are other benefits such as improved student performance when parents get involved at school, and improved English and reading skills when children have access to the Internet.
Some people are reluctant to donate their computers since most personal computers contain sensitive personal information. These hard drives are smashed and then sent to the landfill to protect information.
However, Computer Corps guarantees that all information contained on donated hard drives is safe and confidential.
Any hard drive donations that are reused are erased to Department of Defense specifications.
IVGID Waste Not collects e-waste to be donated to Computer Corps every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5pm at 1220 Sweetwater Rd. For more information call the Waste Not Hotline at (775) 832-1284.
More information about Computer Corps' programs, including the Family Sponsorship Program, can be picked up during the collection times or by visiting the Computer Corps Web site at www.computercorps.org.
Alice Stover is an Americorps Volunteer at Incline Village General Improvement District's Waste Not program.
