Recycles.Org  BETA Nonprofit Materials Exchange Network Computer & Office Electronics Recycling & Reuse

Date: Wednesday, 31 August 2005

Title: Great deals on refurbished computers

Source: http://www.northernlife.ca

Remarks: BY HEIDI ULRICHSEN

If your child needs a computer for school this year, but you can’t afford the expense, the Northern Computer Recycling Depot might be able to help. The depot, which is run by a local mental health charity called the Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA), offers complete computer packages including a monitor, central processing unit, keyboard and mouse for about $60. NISA provides a variety of programs for survivors of mental illness on the grounds of Northeastern Mental Health Centre, including the computer recycling depot, a cafe and gift shop, a writer’s circle and a knitting club. Volunteers with the computer-recycling program take Pentium II or better computers apart and turn them into up-to-date units with Internet capability. Comparable unit in stores would cost $300 or more. “I like the feeling that I can take something that nobody else wants and pass it onto somebody who will appreciate it,” says NISA’s staff computer technician, Richard Oliver. “We get people from all walks of life - people on disability, single mothers and families that can’t afford a newer computer. For a low cost, you can pick up a system that can help you do your homework or go on the Internet and do research.” Most of the used computers are donated surplus from an Ontario government-run charity called Computers for Schools. That program takes used computers from government departments and refurbishes them for schools. If people want to donate used computers to NISA, they should phone the depot ahead of time to see what is needed. The recycling program is also good for the environment, because it keeps old computers out of landfill sites, says Oliver. The four volunteers helping Oliver with computer restorations are all survivors of mental illness. Terry Pretz, who was discharged from NEMHC two years ago, says he volunteers at the computer-recycling depot because it gives him something positive to do with his time. He’d likely spend his days watching television if it wasn’t for the program. “I haven’t been in the hospital for two years, and I think it has a great deal to do with this (my volunteer work) and taking the right medications,” he says. “I like it because somebody else that can’t afford it (a computer) will have something to work with. There’s a certain satisfaction to it. Helping others always helps me. That’s why I volunteer here. It gives me a reason to get out of bed and somewhere to be.” Thanks to his volunteer work, Pretz is the owner of a brand-new computer. He saved up a few dollars a month from his Ontario Disability Support Program income to buy the computer parts piece by piece. Oliver’s life has also been changed by the computer-recycling depot. Six years ago, the man was on Ontario Works, and started volunteering at NISA in exchange for his cheque. After awhile, Oliver became so good at his job that NISA decided to hire him as their computer technician. The computer-recycling program is important because it helps both volunteers and the public, he says. “It gave me a reason to get out of the house and it gave me a routine. One of the hardest parts, if you’re stuck in a rut, is having a reason to go out of the house,” says Oliver. “It gave me great satisfaction just to contribute to society and do something I liked...I’ve come a long way from where I used to be.” For more information about the program, phone 675-9193, ext. 8266. Application forms for the computers are available at NISA’s office or online at www.nisa.on.ca.