Striving to enhance and improve classroom instruction, Computers for Schools is a non-profit organization that facilitates the distribution of certified refurbished, fully functional computing equipment with a three-year hardware warranty to schools and educational institutions. The equipment often serves to upgrade existing hardware quality while helping to bridge the digital divide.
“Without the generosity of companies like NEC Display Solutions, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish our primary objective, which is to make technology attainable for today’s schools,” said Willie Cade, president of Computers for Schools. “Giving these students access to some of the best quality desktop displays, for example, gives our students the opportunity to be educationally competitive.”
NEC Display Solutions, which was recently recognized by the EPA as a Plug-In to eCycling partner, helped collect and recycle 3.6 million pounds of electronics products in North America and a total of 33 million pounds of electronics globally from businesses last year. However, since much of the equipment is fully functional or easily repairable, re-use is the company’s first recycling choice.
“We’re excited to donate our displays to Computer for Schools, an organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our children,” said T.J. Trojan, president and COO, NEC Display Solutions of America. “Since re-use is the first choice in electronics recycling, this partnership promises to benefit not only NEC and Computers for Schools, but also the environment as well.”
About Computers for Schools
Founded in 1991, Computers for Schools (www.pcsforschools.org) is a non-profit organization committed to a two-fold posture of bridging the digital divide and supporting environmental responsibility through the refreshment of prematurely retired computer systems. The Chicago affiliate was launched in 2000 by Willie Cade in his basement. Since then, it has grown into two locations each with 13,000 square foot refurbishing facilities. To date, our program has placed over 25,000 computers in schools, non-profit organizations and needs-based homes, proving that limited funding does not preclude access to technology.
