Computer All Stars
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Computer All Stars a community reuse and recycle program. Participants who are interested in computer repair and maintaining a healthy environment can learn how to diagnose, repair and upgrade donated computers to build one to take home or provide a computer to a local family.
Who are the Computer All Stars?
Computer All Stars is a community reuse and recycle program. Participants who are interested in computer repair and maintaining a healthy environment can learn how to diagnose, repair and upgrade donated computers in order to build one to take home or provide a computer to a local family. All obsolete or damaged equipment is dismantled and properly recycled by the participants. All activities are supervised. In this work environment job-keeping and social skills are taught and practiced. New repair skills are documented and a certificated is given to each participant at the end of the session.Education: Since its inception in 2000, over 500 young people have completed the Computer All Stars training program. Aside from being exposed to one of the fastest growing career fields in the country, participants have learned the values of environmental conservation, benefited from top-notch mentorship and gained valuable life and job skills.
Environment: Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fasted growing environmental problems in our world today. More than 250 million PCs and 100 million cell phones are tossed aside in the U.S. every year, with each device containing an array of environmentally hazardous chemicals including lead, barium and arsenic. When e-waste is improperly disposed of or left at the landfill, these hazardous chemicals leach out into our air and water supplies. One of the best solutions for e-waste is the reuse and proper recycling of electronics. On average, Computer All Stars refurbishes 100 computer packages each year and properly recycles over 6 tons of computer equipment.
Equality: Computers are increasingly necessary to perform everyday societal tasks. Consequently, not being able to afford a computer can be a huge social and economic disadvantage. Computer All Stars actively works to close the “digital divide” that exists between low-income people and high-income people in our society. Since 2000, Computer All Stars has distributed more than 1000 computers to people in need in our community.
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How can I sign up for a program session or event?
Applications for all programs are available at the Youth Bureau or you can simply call Marty at (607) 273-8364.
After School Program: The after school program is available for Monday and Wednesday sessions that run for one month each during the school year. Each session runs from 2:30pm-5:30pm.
Summer Program: Limited employment opportunities are available during the summer through the Youth Employment Service. Activities are the same as the after school program. Please call for details.
Workshops and Seminars: There will be a variety of workshops and seminars available at the eCenter education corner. Events will be announced.
Return to TopAfter School Program: The after school program is available for Monday and Wednesday sessions that run for one month each during the school year. Each session runs from 2:30pm-5:30pm.
Summer Program: Limited employment opportunities are available during the summer through the Youth Employment Service. Activities are the same as the after school program. Please call for details.
Workshops and Seminars: There will be a variety of workshops and seminars available at the eCenter education corner. Events will be announced.
How do I apply for a free computer?
Applications for computers are available at the Youth Bureau or you can simply call Marty at (607) 273-8364. Computer equipment may be dropped off at our partner organizations, Finger Lakes ReUse/eCenter, at the Triphammer Mall.
What types of computer equipment do you accept?
We are actively looking for Pentium IV or newer computers, working monitors and working printers. Donations of all types of computer related equipment and office equipment cab be dropped off at Finger Lakes ReUse/eCenter.
How can I volunteer?Volunteers are needed to help set up computers or to teach young people computer repair skills. A variety of volunteer opportunities, including retail sales, are available at the Youth Bureau and the Finger Lakes ReUse/eCenter.
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Program Coordinator:
Marty Schreiber
Contact Information:
Marty Schreiber
1 James L. Gibbs Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 273-8364
Fax: (607) 273-2817
martys@cityofithaca.org
Eligibility:
Tompkins County residents aged 10-19
Mission:
The Computer All Stars Program will strive to offer a safe environment to a diverse population of young people in which they can practice and improve upon their technical, social and job-keeping skills. This will be accomplished in a unique work environment involving computer repair. Our mission is three-fold: 1) To provide a positive and constructive learning environment for youth, 2) To protect the local and global environment through reuse and recycling, 3) To ensure that everyone in our community has access to the technology they need to succeed.