Computers for Classrooms, Inc.
A non-profit computer refurbisher, EIN: 68-0480598
History
In 1991 Computers for Classrooms was founded by Pat Furr, a former teacher and elected school district trustee of Chico Unified School District. Realizing that schools needed computers, Pat founded a volunteer program to refurbish donated computers and to place them in schools. Pat had been in the Master’s Program for Computer Science at CSU Chico and decided to use her knowledge to assist schools and students. Over the years the award-winning program has expanded its services as the program has grown. The self-sustaining non-profit started in Pat’s home and is now located in a 25,000 square foot modern facility with loading docks, pallet racking and the latest in security.
Mission – Computers for Classrooms is dedicated to providing professionally refurbished computer systems to schools and others lacking access to computers. California is in the bottom three states when comparing the ratio of students to computers. Students are twice as likely to attend college if they have a home computer. Public libraries cannot fill the need for access to technology. Libraries often have a waiting time of an hour or more to use a computer. Our students need to spend time on-line not in line.
We support Reuse if possible and responsible Recycling if not usable. The need for technology is great and CFC believes it is tragic to recycle computers that can be reused.
Professional Tools
CFC uses the highest standards of data security, health and safety, asset management and environmental protection are being followed.
Microsoft Registered Refurbisher (MRR) – As a MRR Computers for Classrooms is able to install licensed Microsoft Operating Systems and Office Suites on refurbished computers. CFC warranties all refurbished computers for one year. At this time CFC can install Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (64 bit) Operating Systems, Microsoft Office 2010, Home and Student (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and One Note) and Microsoft Security Essentials (anti-virus).
White Canyon Wipe Drive – is an expensive hard drive wiping program that provides the highest level of security. Once wiped by Wipe Drive the data cannot be recovered by any known technology. A record of the successful wipe is stored on our server in a file that cannot be edited. The report can be used in a court of law as proof of destruction. CFC further provides a Certification of Wipe or Destruction and backs the letter by a million dollar insurance policy. Server RAID drive arrays can be wiped by Wipe Drive. Each drive is seen individually so that each server drive is wiped on its own.
Garner Products, HD-3 WXL Degausser – CFC uses the degausser to destroy any hard drives that are too small, defective or cannot be wiped completely. The degausser emits a burst of magnetic energy sufficient to completely wipe all stored data. The hard drive can no longer be used as the heads are magnetized but it can be recycled. The degausser is portable so that drives can be degaussed on site if desired. CFC can provide an audit trail by scanning the serial numbers and providing a spreadsheet with the method of disposition of each drive. PD-5 Destroyer – As data technology evolves, data destruction technology much too. The PD-5 with optional SSD-1 meets the challenge by delivering high-speed, high-power destruction across the spectrum of today’s commonly used data-storage media.
Secure Facilities and Procedures – CFC is housed in a modern concrete warehouse with 24/7 security, keypad entry, video cameras, locked trucks in transit and secure hard drive wiping room. What is your security policy? We will work to conform to your requirements.
Recipients
All donations are triaged by our staff and volunteers. Volunteers are able to earn a free computer after volunteering for 50 hours while learning job skills and working with a large variety of computers. The best computers go to schools. CFC has placed tens of thousands of computers in schools over the past 24 years.
Computers that are not used in schools can still be used by those who cannot afford new ones.
Examples of recipients include:
• Low income families
• College students eligible for financial assistance
• Children eligible for free or reduced price lunch
• Those receiving Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, food stamps, section 8 housing
• Other non-profits
• Libraries
• Veterans
• Seniors – age 65 or older
Donor Sample
- Hospitals: Enloe Medical Center, Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, North State Imaging
- Banks: Tri-Counties Bank, Rabo Bank, Wells Fargo Bank
- Federal Agencies: IRS, Department of Agriculture, military bases, EPA, Social Service
- State Agencies: Office of Emergency Services, Caltrans, Dept. of General Services, Dept. of Justice, Dept. of Education, California Highway Patrol, Dept. of Health Care Services, Dept. of Education, Dept. of Finance, Dept. of Fish and Game, CA EPA, Dept. of Transportation, Cal Trans, Universities, CSU Sacramento, Butte College, Yuba College, Statewide roll-out CA Dept. of Health Care Services, ISAWs, CA Highway Patrol
- Businesses: AOL, Nextag, Costco, Hewlett Packard, Sierra Nevada Brewery, Oakland Raiders, Trividia, Allstate Insurance, Farmers Insurance, Broadcom.com
References
References will be supplied upon request.
We would like to share the statement of Jeff Hunts, Manager of the California Electronic Waste Recycling Program, upon hearing that CFC had received the R2 Certification:
As a founding participant in California’s great e-waste experiment, CFC has demonstrated that reuse and recycling can co-exist and be both operationally successful and environmentally responsible.
Congratulations on such a noteworthy accomplishment!
Jeff Hunts, Manager
Electronic Waste Recycling Program