Nov 28, 2007 9:27 pm US/Pacific
Bridging the Digital Divide
Jefferson Award Winner: Bruce Buckelew
(CBS 5)
At Oakland Technology Exchange West, old computers get new life. This is where volunteers clean, repair, and refurbish computers to give to Oakland school children.
"There's an assumption that a computer's obsolete after a few years. That's not actually true," says OTX founder Bruce Buckelew.
Bruce is spending his retirement making sure every child in Oakland has a computer -- something he grew passionate about when he volunteered at Oakland Tech High.
"These kids who had struggled to get through and become college eligible once again were on a non-level playing field because they didn't have computers," he explains.
So Bruce set up a program where children come to OTX with a parent for computer class. For attending, they earn a voucher for a free computer with all the accessories and software.
His program isn't just helping the community. It's helping the environment. Most used computers end up in land fill or are partially recycled, but at OTX, every one is refurbished and put back into use.
Bruce says, "On our distribution day, they come through and get to pick out their computers just like they're shopping at the store."
"You should have seen the faces of the young people, even the parents! You know it was like a little Christmas," says volunteer Rene Guzman.
Rene says the program is a clear investment in the future.
"It's taking from the past and giving to the children, to the future," he says.
Bruce adds, "It's a perfect match between the problem of e-waste and the problem of the digital divide."
So far, OTX has given away between 20 and 25 thousand computers. New owners get free training and technical support, and a big boost towards academic success.
"I have such respect for the parents that come here with their kids to earn a computer for their kids and provide what's necessary to not be one of the dropouts and have the tools to succeed," says Bruce. "It's necessary in this year 2007 that everybody have access to this stuff."
So for putting the tools for success into the hands of thousands of Oakland children, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Bruce Buckelew.
OTX needs your computer! Use the related links to find out how you can donate to OTX and put a computer in the hands of a school child.
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