Check out the re//BUILD.IT Community Computer Donation Program

Last year our team at rTraction had the pleasure of collaborating with STEAM Education centre on their website. STEAM recognized that when the pandemic hit, many lost access to computers. As a result, they developed the re//BUILD.IT community program to get computers to those in need. At rTraction we understand the importance of staying connected, especially during a pandemic, and when we heard about their initiative, we wanted to help spread the word.

When schools, community centres and libraries reduced access to resources in response to the pandemic, countless students, Indigenous communities and people with limited means were immediately disconnected from the online world. The pandemic revealed a deep digital divide between those with access to technology and the ability to stay connected and those without, who will struggle to keep learning, working and communicating from home.

The re//BUILD.IT Community program collects and refurbishes laptops in good condition and donates them to students, Indigenous communities and people with limited income. re//BUILD.IT Community is also reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste in the most effective way by extending the life of computers.

To date, re//BUILD.IT Community computer donation program has provided 180 computers to people in need! However, with more people learning and working from home, donations of laptops are a continual and immediate need.  

Currently, there is high demand for laptops, but re//BUILD IT utilizes all aspects of computers and laptops and will graciously accept hard drives, keyboards, mice, monitors, etc.

Minimum recommended requirements for technology:

• Laptops or computers with Windows 7 or later

• Portable Devices: iOS 8.0 or later and be able to send and receive video with a front or rear camera or Android 5.0x or later

Professional technology is used to wipe all devices to ensure privacy. If a device cannot be reused, the program ensures it is recycled properly.

This program couldn't operate without generous technology donations from the community and local businesses. 

If you want or your organization believe you have technology to donate, please reach out to STEAM at:

226-212-0048 or at info [at] steameducation.ca (info[at]steameducation[dot]ca) to arrange a drop-off of donated equipment. 

To apply to receive a computer, please reach out to the above contacts or apply online at:

https://www.steameducation.ca/rebuildit-form.html#/

More about STEAM: The STEAM Education Centre's mission is to educate, equip and empower learners to imagine and create the future through play, ingenuity, and innovation, using science, technology, engineering, art/design, and math (STEAM). STEAM focuses on the future and helping students learn the essential skills and competencies required to excel.

www.steameducation.ca