Computers for Families Needs Surge of Old Equipment

A project that connects low-income students with refurbished computers is running out of donations

By Rachel Urbach, Noozhawk Intern | Published on 12.28.2009

  • E-mail
  • Print this page Print
  • Comments (3)
    • Share

For more than 13 years, the Computers for Families project has been a well-oiled solace of computer equipment collection and placement among students in low-income families in the greater Santa Barbara area. More than 7,000 refurbished computers have been placed in homes that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford them, but the need for computers continues to grow.

Computers for Families project coordinator Kris Mainland White said maintaining a healthy community within a city means all people need the opportunity to be equally educated. If the ability to access the Internet isn’t granted by those who have the means to help, voices will be lost, she said.

“In this digital age, not having a computer is like not having a pencil,” said White, who is in her fifth year working with CFF. “If they are getting rid of computers or monitors, we could really use them. ... Because of the economy, donations have been slow and we’re running out.”

Through relationships with the Santa Barbara County Probation Department and the staff at the Los Prietos Boys Camp, CFF sponsors a vocational technology class, providing directly marketable skills that can be a huge confidence builder for adjudicated youths.

The boys learn how to fix the donated, nonworking machines and components and are allowed to join the distribution process to observe the joyful families. Many of the boys, who have been in some trouble, are given the opportunity to be heroes to others.

From Goleta to Carpinteria, nearly 35 public schools have representatives from CFF, coordinating efforts, organizing events and directing devoted teachers to help identify the kids of families in need. Focus is placed on fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders to teach Internet safety and basic program accessories such as the calculator and calendar. Teachers help spot children with no access to a computer at home and refer families to qualify for refurbished equipment.

“And we want to include everybody,” White said.

Backed by the Santa Barbara Partners in Education and the Santa Barbara County Education Office, CFF has received attention as a national program model. In the mid-1990s, it took just four years to raise $3 million, making the South Coast nonprofit a reality.

Here are a few tips to help CFF:

— Click here to check online for what CFF needs and doesn’t need.

— Drop by from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days at the Santa Barbara County Education Office, 4400 Cathedral Oaks Road. No need to call ahead.

— If you have contact with a hospital, business or bank interested in donating large amounts of old equipment, CFF will pursue it and arrange to pick up the shipments.

— Noozhawk intern Rachel Urbach can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.

You must be a registered user to comment. Create a user account

Log in




Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?

» As if... on 12.30.09 @ 05:31 PM

Giving low income families computers was doing them some kind of favor. Access to porn and social networking sites, to stalk and be stalked, to give them reasons to commit suicide etc. And where do they go for technical support?

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» CFF Classroom Representative on 01.03.10 @ 12:50 PM

Before you go making completely ignorant comments about Computers for Families, maybe you should look into some of the facts.  The computers that families receive have the same internet protection that computers in public schools use.  They block social networking sites, porn, and other sites that are inappropriate for children.  As far as technical support, the county provides support whenever needed with just a simple phone call.  Pretty good program, huh!

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» Serena Taylor on 01.03.10 @ 01:49 PM

The comments from “As if…” are spoken like one of the anti-Mexican, anti-poor trolls who haunts Noozhawk’s site. I’ve seen that kind of sentiment before recently and I’ll bet it’s the same individual.

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

More Local News »

Valley Christian Academy, Class of 2012

Midland School, Class of 2012

Michael Douglas Donates $500,000 to UCSB to Endow Dean’s Chair

David Marshall named to Michael Douglas Deanship in Humanities and Fine Arts

Anacapa School Teacher Speaks at ‘Freedom to Connect’ Conference

Levi Maaia among panelists in D.C. advocating for freedoms of innovation, creativity and personal expression online

Laguna Blanca School, Class of 2012

Weather: Fair 53.0º


© Malamute Ventures LLC 2007-2012 | ISSN No. 1947-6086

Web Design & Development by PixelFive