FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lake County, OH (March 29, 2023) – PCs for People, a national nonprofit working to bridge the digital divide, announced today that they are partnering with The Wisdom Collaborative, a 501 (c) 3 organization engaging individuals 50 and older to help solve issues impacting Lake County, on an initiative to provide low-income residents in Lake County, OH, with high-quality, low-cost computers, internet, and digital skills classes.
According to the most recent U.S. Census American Community Survey estimates, 6.9 percent of Lake County residents do not own a computer, and 10.4 percent of the Lake County population do not have a broadband internet subscription. Moreover, 13 percent of residents aged 65+ do not own computer technology. In our current internet-saturated era, this is a problem because, without access to these essential tools, residents can struggle with completing education, securing employment, enjoying social connections, and receiving healthcare and support services.
PCs for People and the Wisdom Collaborative will work together to bring the robust services provided by PCs for People to the residents, businesses, government entities, and community organizations of Lake County. As a nonprofit social enterprise, PCs for People recycles retired computers and technology from businesses at no cost, then refurbishes those devices to be provided to income-eligible customers at an affordable price. In addition, PCs for People offers low-cost internet solutions and free digital skills training.
More partners needed
This digital inclusion initiative will significantly rely on Lake County businesses, government entities, and community organizations to be successful. “Our mission is powered by community-minded businesses that recycle their retired computers for a good cause,” said Dani Valentin, National Account Executive with PCs for People. “Our e-recycling services are secure, certified, and free, but most importantly, every computer is leveraged to make a difference for an individual or family with a low income. Without those computers, we cannot do the work we do.”
“The key to solving community problems is a collaboration among agencies, organizations, and individuals,” commented Dale Stefancic, chair of the Wisdom Collaborative Board of Directors. “We are excited about this new partnership and what it will accomplish for Lake County. We hope to expand the collaboration to include many local businesses and agencies who want to be part of closing our county’s digital divide, strengthening Lake County’s economy, and reducing our e-waste footprint.”
Link in to learn
The new partnership will officially launch on April 12, 2023, with a virtual lunchtime event to share this proven solution for addressing the digital divide in Lake County. This free event is open to any business, government agency, funder or community organization interested in benefiting low-income residents and the local economy while also helping themselves. Presenters will explain the immediate and long-term benefits of donating retired computer hardware for upcycling, helping to connect to those who need computers, internet access, or training, and providing other types of support for the digital inclusion initiative. “We need partners on all sides of this initiative to make it work,” explained Natalie Friedl, Director of Development at PCs for People. “Anyone who wants to be involved has a place on the team.”
If you are interested in attending this free one-hour virtual lunchtime event, please register at bit.ly/ConnectLakeCountyOH to receive the link to the April 12 event.
About PCs For People
PCs for People is a national nonprofit working to get low-cost quality computers and internet into the homes of individuals, families, and nonprofits with low income. By recycling and then refurbishing computers, PCs for People provides a valuable service to businesses, families, and the planet by keeping computers out of landfills and repurposing them to advance digital inclusion.
Since 1998, PCs for People has become a national leader in digital inclusion by serving over 825,000 individuals, providing 260,000 home computers, connecting 92,000 households to the internet, and responsibly recycling over 13 million pounds of electronic waste through the secure e-waste recycling service. To learn more visit www.pcsforpeople.org.
Media Contact:
Allison Coleman, acoleman@pcsforpeople.org
About The Wisdom Collaborative
The Wisdom Collaborative, established in 2021, is a 501 (c )3 organization engaging individuals aged 50 and older in activities that help solve issues in Lake County, Ohio. Our inaugural initiative to reduce elder abuse and fraud has led to an ongoing community partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Elder Justice Initiative. Our most recent initiative is to identify gaps in digital access in Lake County and collaborate with partners to facilitate digital inclusion for all who need it. For more information, go to https://wisdomcollaborative.net.
Media Contact:
Robin Baum, Robin.s.Baum@gmail.com
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