If you have an old computer collecting dust in your basement, then a local organization is here to take it off your hands.
2nd Byte is an organization that refurbishes used computers and provides them to members of the community who require a computer to accomplish their working goals. Having been in operation for three years now, 2nd Byte is an offspring of Community Opportunity for Independence Now (COIN). COIN raises money and provides no interest loans of up to $100 to anybody who needs it in order to find work.
2nd Byte supplies refurbished Internet-ready computers to people for only $35, as many are unable to afford to buy a computer, which in many cases may be the only thing stopping them from fulfilling their dreams of education or finding work. 2nd Byte is made up of five volunteers, with financial support from the Lighthouse Learning Network for their co-co-ordinator. 2nd Byte accepts donations of used computers with a minimum requirement of a Pentium 133. "The whole reason we do this is a lot of us are involved in community employment services, Capilano College and other organizations and we realize that often what makes the difference between somebody being able to reach their goals is access to a computer," said volunteer Carol Nielsen. "Our goal is that by the end of June we have 100 computers out to people." There are policies that clearly outline how people can obtain these computers. The main way to access this much-needed resource is to connect with a referral partner. Referral partners have been trained by 2nd Byte to analyze a person's situation, determine if the person is eligible and vouch that a computer would be helpful to them to achieve their goals. Once accepted, the computer cost is $35, and recipients receive a very good working computer that is Internet ready and comes with a licensed version of Microsoft Windows. 2nd Byte is a Microsoft authorized refurbisher.
"For $35, it doesn't really matter who the person is, as long as they can't afford a computer on their own, are an adult and have been referred by a re-employment partner. We don't ask any questions and they get a computer," Nielsen said. "There are two parts to the program. We want to get computers out to people, and we're also trying to reduce the number of tons of waste that goes to the landfill. We can't accept junk, though.
"The big thing for us right now, is we really want to get those computers coming in, especially because it's coming up to Christmas. Some people may be getting computers for Christmas and they may wonder what to do with the old ones. We'll gladly take them off your hands and especially try to divert them from the dump. We'll take them and refurbish them, but our top priority is to get these computers out to people who need them."
For more information on 2nd Byte, contact co-co-ordinator Steve Kaliel at [email protected] or call 604-886-7269.
