Refurbished Computer Initiative: Training Teens Who Train Elders

One of Redemtech’s many initiatives is a strategic relationship with TechSoup Global, a California-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide computer knowledge and resources to other nonprofit and non-government organizations (NGOs) in North America and around the globe. We help them choose, implement and sustain the essential technology needed to serve their communities.

Our project with Redemtech is called the Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI). RCI provides reliable, warrantied desktop and laptop computers to U.S. nonprofits at the lowest possible cost online via our TechSoup Stock platform.

One great example of the impact of this work is the Mission Digital Connectors inner-city youth program, which uses Redemtech refurbished RCI computers to reach the young and the old in San Francisco’s Mission District.

The digital connector students meet at the nonprofit Caminos Computer Lab on Valencia Street in San Francisco where they have worked for the past year providing computer training and tech support to Latino families.

The teens learn basic computer skills and then they teach these skills to seniors in several housing project computer labs. They also take field trips, make autobiographical videos, conduct community interviews, and practice public speaking at school assemblies (before other students, families and city officials).

Upon graduation of the 10-week course, each student receives a refurbished laptop (with new software) from the Refurbished Computer Initiative. High school junior Cecily Alfaro summed up the program by saying: “We had a cool event at Valencia Gardens Housing where we gave away a free laptop and we signed many people up for the program. Even my dad and mom signed in. I was like …Wow!”

Comments

[refurbished computers]

One of Redemtech’s many initiatives is a strategic relationship with TechSoup Global, a California-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide computer knowledge and resources to other nonprofit and non-government organizations (NGOs) in North America and around the globe. We help them choose, implement and sustain the essential technology needed to serve their communities.

[Sue]

This is great for the teens. I hope it continues on:)

[cheap computers]

Its good that the the teens learn basic computer skills and then they teach these skills to seniors in several housing project computer labs.

[cheap computers]

I believe that it provides reliable, warrantied desktop and laptop computers to U.S. nonprofits at the lowest possible cost online.

[Refurbished computers]

Todays children know more about the computers then us elders.