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Minnesota Computers for Schools to Celebrate Ten-Year Anniversary
Minnesota Computers for Schools (MCFS) will mark a decade of making a difference in the lives of
The nonprofit organization — the only one of its kind in Minnesota — refurbishes computers donated by companies, cleans and tests them, custom builds them to fit a school’s IT infrastructure, conducts testing to ensure quality control, and provides a software bundle. MCFS has placed 45,877 computers since 1997. They also accept monetary donations and sponsorships.
“The mission of MCFS is to ensure that all Minnesota children in grades K-12 and children from historically underserved populations have access to the computer technology needed to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required for accomplished academic performance and career success in the knowledge economy,” says MCFS Executive Director Tamara Gillard. “This is important because computers that are donated directly from companies to schools often do not match the school’s IT needs or have an operating system or warranty.”
The appropriate use of technology in an educational context can help students achieve better grades, increase scores on standardized tests, increase school attendance, and improve school behavior, according to The Children’s Partnership.
“Despite increasing computer literacy, there is still a great need to get more computers into K-12 schools throughout
- Refurbishing and customizing computers for schools in
- Providing companies with an easy, cost-effective way to donate computers.
- Employing an environmentally sound recycling process that meets U.S. Department of Defense standards, including providing each company with a certificate of destruction.
- Offering the inmates of Stillwater Correctional Facility, who refurbish the computers, an opportunity to learn new job skills, make a small sum of money, and make a positive contribution to the community.
- Complying with all county and state environmental and safety regulations.
For more information on the organization, please contact MCFS Executive Director Tamara Gillard at 651-779-2700 ext. 2580, or visit www.mncfs.org. To find out how your company or organization can donate computers to MCFS, contact Chris Dopkins at 651-779-2816.
