Computers for Youth and Families In Need

NOTE: AS OF JUNE 10, 2022, I WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING NEW DONATIONS.  I WILL REOPEN THIS GOFUNDME TO ACCEPT DONATIONS ONCE I AM READY TO RESUME CHARITY WORK.

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our education system, placing undue burdens on many lower income families and created additional burdens for orphans, foster kids, and homeless kids, who may not have the resources to work or study at home should the need arise.  Despite the availability of tests, vaccines and treatments, and the partial or full reopening of most schools, this technology gap is still present, even magnified in some communities.

My goal is to bridge that gap, by repairing and donating used Laptops and Computers to orphanages, foster homes, shelters, and non-profit organizations in the Orange County, CA area to get these devices into the hands of children and families for completing and submitting homework, attending remote classes, and working from home as needed.

As of June 2022, I have donated a total of 225 Computers & Laptops to multiple non-profit organizations across Orange County to aid those in need.

I am an IT professional and have the skills needed to perform the work. This cause is my own and unrelated to my full-time job. I am taking no money for my time and work to reach out, research, obtain, repair, and donate these devices. I am also contributing some of my personal savings towards this cause as I am able to.



WHAT YOUR DONATION DOES

Your donations are used in three ways:

1) The purchase of parts to mechanically (not cosmetically) repair any broken devices to a working state.  This includes but is not limited to: Hard Drives, RAM, WiFi Adapters, Webcams, Keyboards, Mice, etc.

2) The purchase of Windows 10 Education software licenses for devices missing a valid Operating System.

3) The purchase of volume lots of Laptops or Computers from auctions and private sellers for repair or refurbishment for donation. *Target goal is to spend under $100 per device for acquisition and to repair to working condition before donation.



BESIDES A MONETARY DONATION, HOW CAN I HELP?

For this project I constantly need old Desktop Computers and Laptops (2007 or newer).

If you or a friend or family member has any of these devices and is willing to donate them to me, I will gladly accept them.

As of June 2022, due to time constraints, I am temporarily suspending charity work and no longer accepting donations of funds or equipment.  Once I resume the charity I will reopen for donations of funds and equipment.



ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

With your contributions, we have been able to donate a total of 225 Computers to children and families in need as of Thursday, June 9, 2022:

- 32 Desktops and Laptops were donated to OCSSA: Children & Family Services.  These devices will be issued to foster children and families for learning and career pursuits.

- 33 Desktops and Laptops were donated to Together We Rise in Brea, CA.  These devices have been issued to teenagers and future college students for studying and career pursuits.

- 53 Desktops and Laptops were donated to the Orangewood Children and Family Center in Orange, CA.  These devices have been issued to children for remote learning and used to create a Computer Lab onsite for children to complete homework and attend classes remotely.

- 54 Desktops and Laptops were donated to the Orangewood Foundation in Santa Ana, CA.  These devices have been issued to teenagers, adults who aged out of foster care, and low-income families for remote school and work purposes.

- 42 Desktops and Laptops were donated to the Mercy House Living Centers in Santa Ana, CA.  These devices are being issued to students for remote school and work as well as for applying to college next academic year.  Devices are also being used to furnish and update outdated equipment in new and existing Computer Labs across all of the Mercy House locations in Orange County.

- 11 Desktops and Laptops were donated to the Orange County Family Justice Center Foundation in Anaheim, CA.  These devices are being issued to minors and children displaced by family violence or sexual abuse for remote school and work.

- A total of $8,600 in donations was raised to achieve the donations outlined above.



PROJECT TIMELINE AND SCOPE

My focus is to aid children, students, and families in need in the Orange County, CA area who may not have access to Computers and Laptops to do homework, attend class or work from home.

I have suspended all charity work as of June 2022 due to time constraints.  Once I am able to be more available, I will resume charity work and accept donations once again.  To those of you who have helped with my project the past two years, I and those in need thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Remote learning and working are becoming more prevalent in our post-pandemic world, so the need amongst the less fortunate for Computers and Laptops will be a regular problem to address.

Please help me get Computers and Laptops into the hands of those who need them!