InterConnection offers computers and skills training
Brainstorm, City of Seattle Community Technology E-Zine, November 2006
There is no reason why anyone in King County who needs a computer should be without one, according to Charles Brennick, founder and director of InterConnection.
In the next five years nearly 250 million computers will be tossed aside in the United States. In Washington State, thousands of computers are recycled every month. "With a few tweaks and some basic upgrades these computers could be given a second life and donated to people in need," said Brennick.
That’s what the InterConnection Computer Reuse and Learning Center is all about. Established in 2004, the center receives hundreds of used computers from local businesses and people every month. Computers are either properly recycled or refurbished, depending on their age and specifications. Refurbished computers are provided to volunteers, nonprofits and schools, both locally and abroad.
The Center offers a free 25-hour computer hardware skills program that teaches people how to fix computers and identify computer components. Anyone who completes the program is entitled to a free computer. No computer skills are required to participate.
Paul Barnes, for example, learned about the program from the Low Income Housing Institute. He volunteered because he wanted to learn about computer hardware and he needed a computer. After a two-hour orientation, Paul was ready to start. He spent the first ten hours disassembling computers and learning about components. He then moved to the computer build area, where he learned how to erase hard drives, install memory, and carry out diagnostic tests that helped him determine how to fix non-working computers.
After Paul completed the program, he received his computer. Paul found his computer especially useful because he has a hearing problem and it is difficult for him to speak on the phone. By using email Paul can communicate with friends and look for a job.
Paul’s story is similar to those of the other volunteers at the center. Many volunteers come from low income housing programs and homeless centers. Donated computers allow people to get online to search for jobs, improve their computer skills, take online courses, and gain information. Low income people who don’t have time to volunteer have the option of purchasing a complete computer at a discounted price, $110.
In 2005, InterConnection received funds from the City of Seattle’s Technology Fund to provide 100 computers to clients of Fremont Public Association and Family Works. Both organizations support low income people.
To date, 540 people have volunteered at the Center and put in more than 16,427 hours. Volunteers have refurbished more than 4,000 computers. Some of these computers have gone to organizations such as World Vision and Microsoft Community Technology Learning Centers. More than 189,158 pounds of non-usable computers have been recycled by volunteers. The Center is located in a 6,700 square foot facility at the north end of Lake Union. InterConnection receives nearly 200 used computers each month through a partnership with the Northwest’s largest electronics recycler, Total Reclaim.