Cristina Connections June 2018

^{June, 2018}

Welcome to Cristina Connections

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to

something bigger than oneself.

Joseph Campbell

I s your organization getting sufficient technology tools to support your work? Do you wish that there was a way to get low cost or donated equipment that can be refurbished without burdening your budget?

The Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse ( AFTRR ) is comprised of Cristina Foundation partners who focus on non-profit computer refurbishing and related services. These organizations seek to capitalize on their contributions by collaborating with other nonprofits serving populations in need of computer access .

There are many ways to collaborate with an AFTRR member to benefit your individual project. Here is Pittsburgh based nonprofit refurbisher Computer Reach's experience. As you will observe, collaboration is key.

The goal of the partnership with the Pittsburgh Housing Authority for this Connect Home program was to develop digital literacy classes for residents living in subsidized housing. Computer Reach, the initial collaborator with the Housing Authority’s Connect Home initiative, would be a significant partner as they would be providing the technology tools - both the technology and the trainers - needed for the proposed Digital Literacy Camps.

Public library networks offered free classroom space and the Housing Authority identified residents in subsidized locations as the project participants. This was followed by grant applications to local foundations and banks for monetary support. Carnegie Mellon University completed the collaboration circle necessary, creating carts to store and transport classroom materials to the various locations.

Currently, halfway to achieving their goal, the Computer Reach program has reached 384 residents living in subsidized housing to receive literacy training and internet access in support of that training.

The Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse is just two years old, but many of the members of the Alliance have been involved in nonprofit refurbishing for decades. As such, they are familiar with the needs of nonprofits and specific populations impacted by the Digital Divide. Check the locations of all members on the AFTRR map . Contact information is provided or NCF can help you with an introduction.

Collaboration between nonprofits with overlapping missions - often referred to as Collective Impact - can increase the abilities of all organizations involved to achieve their targeted outcome. Having low cost computers available is only one of the many ingredients necessary to create a successful collaboration, such as the one in Pittsburgh summarized above.

AFTRR Members 2nd National Meeting June 3-4, 2018

Congratulations to the Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse ( AFTRR ) members for your collaboration and support to your colleagues in the Cristina Network. Together you are making a very important difference to people who would otherwise not have sufficient access to the technology tools they need.

Periodically, Cristina Connections will feature updates about AFTRR’s work to overcome the barriers of the Digital Divide.

Each issue of Cristina Connections will highlight our partners in the Cristina Network. You make it possible for people in need to overcome the barriers of the Digital Divide. In honor of your important work, we dedicate this newsletter to YOU.

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