Bellingham non-profit recycles used computers and donates them to low-income families

STORY & ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALYSSA PITCHER

(Above) Photo illustration by Alyssa Pitcher

Computer literacy is essential to the success of our future generations. While many of us may have cycled through one, two, maybe three, iPhones, children across the United States remain without access to technology.

Computers 4 Kids (C4K) is part of a nationwide effort to reduce computer waste and benefit communities. The Bellingham-based effort donates refurbished computers to low-income families free of charge. Art Miller started C4K with a few techs that he met while working at Re Electronics, a former Bellingham computer repair shop. The group took a couple of years organizing the program and opened up at Haywire Computer Repair in Bellingham on Jan. 1, 2014. Since its opening, C4K has refurbished and donated a total of 290 computers.

Miller recognizes the necessity for children to have access to technology.

He was inspired to start the organization after hearing the story of a young student who was unable to attend a fieldtrip because her parents didn’t have a computer and never received the permission slip required for her to go.

Many of the applicants have children who are struggling in school because of limited access to a computer. Ideally, the Bellingham School District is working to supplement the use of computers into curriculums as a learning tool, says Steve Morse, Student Services Director. Students are being taught how to use a computer just as any adult would. This means knowing how to create a PowerPoint for a presentation, or write a paper using Microsoft Word.

Although this push to integrate computers into classroom learning helps prepare students for life in a digital world, it leaves out students who don’t have access to computers at home, Morse says. It is an equality issue that the school district is working to change through community programs like C4K.

“C4K totally fits The Bellingham Promise,” Morse says. The Bellingham Promise refers to the Bellingham School District’s mission and vision of a community committed to preparing children to graduate from high school with skills to succeed in the global economy.

They have received over 450 applications since beginning two years ago. If there isn’t a desktop or laptop available when an applicant applies, then they must wait to receive a computer. Often applicants can’t be contacted once there is one ready for them because their line has been disconnected, Miller says.

“The really heart-wrenching thing about all these applications is that as much as I would like to give every single one a computer, I simply can’t,” Miller says.

C4K is currently limited to donating 12 computers per month due to funding. They are backed through the Opportunity Council, a non-profit organization that is serving homeless, low-income families and individuals in Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties. Miller says the organization helped get C4K started with funding and has continued to support their cause.

Each donated computer has Windows 7 installed through Microsoft’s citizenship license. The organization also provides a guarantee to fix or replace a computer if needed.

Work is done on a completely volunteer basis. A total of 2,792 volunteer hours were recorded in 2014 and 3,267 in 2015. Including Miller, there are four consistent volunteers and each week there are up to 20 others. Volunteers can do anything from tearing apart electronics to imaging ready computers, and no previous computer experience is required.

C4K accepts old computers, computer equipment and electronic equipment, whether they are working or not.

“We quite literately will take anything that will plug into a wall or anything that plugs into something else that plugs into a wall,” Miller says.

While many of us may have a computer in front of us and cellphone in our pocket, there are many in our community who do not and are missing out on opportunities as a result.

A computer is needed whether an individual is filing taxes, applying for a job, finishing homework, or simply trying to see what a friend is doing.

“When I went to school everything was handed out. You had books, you took them home and you did everything on paper,” Miller says. “Now it’s all done online so it’s hard for families who don’t have access to computers.

They days of handouts and hardcovers are coming to what may be an end. Computers have become essential components to communication, knowledge and empowerment. C4K has dedicated themselves to providing this necessity to the youth; the generation of the future.