KindWorks’ Digital Empowerment Initiative
Seeking Computers to Refurbish for Those in Need
KindWorks volunteers refurbishers set up computers at the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homelss
KindWorks meets pressing community needs by mobilizing volunteers to help in many ways -- through making soup, collecting donated furniture, and through its Digital Empowerment Initiative, in which donated laptops are refurbished and given away to those in need. Over 1,700 computers have been given away to date. The stories of the recipients are inspiring, as are the stories of companies that decide to no longer throw away their retiring computers, but instead make them available to be refurbished and given a new life to help others without the ability to purchase computers on their own. We spoke with KindWorks' Executive Director Deb Lang below.
How and why the group was founded?
During the pandemic, when it was hard to ignore how inconceivable it would be to live without a computer, Phil Shapiro proposed the idea to us as a way to reduce both the digital divide and eWaste, and we’ve been doing it, and growing it, ever since!
What is a unique characteristic about this program at KindWorks that most people probably don't know?
Many people do not know what to do with their computers at home, and many companies do not know the good that could safely be done with their retiring laptops. We make it easy and satisfying for people to help others in this way, often getting back to the computer donor to let them know with whom their computer has now found a home (ie: we gave a computer to a young Afghan woman who had to flee Afghanistan when Kabul fell because her brother worked with the US government, and she is now using your old computer to finish her classes at Montgomery College for her nursing degree!).
Who receives the refurbished computers?
We support students at local high schools and at University of Maryland, George Mason University and Montgomery College as well as local tutoring programs, such as KidPowerDC and others, and refugee resettlement groups, such as the International Rescue Committee and The Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. and many other other local non-profits, such as Sasha Bruce Youthwork.
What are some of your current challenges and future goals?
We are fighting against years of being told that our data needs nuclear codes-level erasure in order for our identities and our clients’ private information to be safe, but this is untrue and ineffective. We want to show that we can safely delete information and refurbish their laptops to help them do good with their retiring electronics, one by one, until it becomes the new norm in our community.
What is the best way for our readers to be supportive and/or get involved with your organization?
Reach out to Deb.Lang@DoKindWorks.org and let’s chat with the head of your organization, or the head of IT, so we can work out what your security concerns are, and how we can meet them.
Explain your past/future fundraising events that we may attend/support.
We don’t do much fundraising for this program, although private donations do help - $50 covers the costs associated with most computer refurbishings (some need new hard drives, some new batteries, power cords, webcams, etc). A corporate or foundation sponsorship would be welcomed!
Most people also do not know that our costs are really only the costs of new component parts and peripherals, as we have worked out all other aspects of this project to be donated and volunteered. We are committed to using every dollar donated to improve the computers that we give away.
KindWorks’ Digital Empowerment Initiative