Pittsburgh Post Gazette

TechMan: Grassroots effort to give computers to those who can’t afford them

March 10, 2014 11:13 PM

By Ced Kurtz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One of the most ambitious programs to rehabilitate used computers and get them back into the community at low or no cost is concentrated here in Western Pennsylvania.

Computer Reach has worked with 824 volunteers over more than 13 years and has refurbished more than 5,700 computers. It has distributed computers in 14 countries and seven states — but a majority of the work is in Pittsburgh area neighborhoods.

The effort began in Pittsburgh in 2001 with eight volunteer computer techs, engineers and teachers working out of Dave Sevick’s garage rebuilding used Apple computers donated by local schools. To get them into the hands of underserved communities. Members traveled to urban and rural food banks around Western Pennsylvania, seeking out people in need of technology …

Read more of the Ced Kurtz article at the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/technology/2014/03/11/TechMan-Grassroots-effort-to-give-computers-to-those-who-can-t-afford-them/stories/201403110003