City Computers will go to Community Members and Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2008

Commissioner Dan Saltzman & Mayor Potter will introduce a resolution to ensure that computer systems which are no longer needed by the City are refurbished for use by community members, next Wednesday, June 11th.

To accomplish this goal the City will partner with the local non-profit Free Geek. Free Geek is a 501(c)(3) not for profit community organization that refurbishes and recycles used computers, offers computer education, internet access and job skills training to those in need in exchange for community service.

“Besides getting computers into the hand of people who cannot afford computers,” commented Commissioner Dan Saltzman, “by partnering with Free Geek we will also be assuring that computer parts that cannot be reused will be recycled locally in an environmentally sound manner.”

Free Geek will also develop an outreach plan to get its refurbished computers into the hands of students who do not have access to computers in their home. ”

Getting technology into the hands of Portland kids helps make sure they will succeed at school, and in their future careers,” stated Mayor Tom Potter, “this partnership is a great way to help our City’s children.” Studies have shown that children living in homes with a computer are more likely to graduate from high school than young adults without computer access at home.

“Free Geek is thrilled by the opportunity to provide more computers to our community” commented Jeff Robinson of Free Geek, “we expect that the City computers will bring in potentially newer models that can be reused.”

Contact: Jeff Robinson at press@freegeek.org