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News& Updates
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As you know, we run the Computers for Schools program in BC. Today marks the 25 anniversary and we are happy to celebrate it! Read more about it below.  Since 1993, the Computers for Schools (CFS) program has helped meet the demand for computers in Canadian classrooms and communities. This August marks the 25th anniversary of the program, a milestone proudly shared by provincial and territorial program affiliates across the country. In the course of those 25 years, the CFS program refurbished and delivered over 1.5 million computers. This year, Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) also announced the Connecting Families initiative to increase Internet accessibility for low-income Canadians. As part of this initiative, a target of 50,000 additional computers will also be distributed to eligible families through the CFS program. “For the past 25 years, the CFS program has provided individuals from under-represented groups with the tools and educational resources they need to thrive in our society and it is with great pride that we mark this milestone anniversary,” said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). “The continued growth and success of the program plays an important role in sustaining the innovation culture so crucial to succeeding in the digital economy.” “The Computers for Schools program has provided millions of Canadians with resources and opportunities to build essential digital skills,” said Toby Harper-Merrett, Executive Director of CFSC-OPEC. “The continued work of the CFS affiliates contributes to digital access that has become fundamental to economic participation." “Providing affordable Internet service for low-income families is another important step towards bridging digital divides that perpetuate in Canada,” added Mr. Harper-Merrett, noting “Yet, as the CFS program continues to grow and refurbish more computers, it relies on the support of corporate technology donors.” “The CFS program is about providing opportunities,” said Karen Kerr, Executive Director of Computers for Schools Manitoba. “Women are underrepresented in technology occupations - I have been involved with the program since 1995 and have seen first-hand how CFS provides resources to help make digital skills accessible to women and other under-represented groups.”    This month we distributed a whopping 499 computers and laptops!!! 🖥️💻The computers and laptops went to...
💗 Thank you donors! 💗We couldn't run the Computers for Schools program without your continued support. Below are donors who supported us this month.
 We had our Annual General Meeting and our annual BBQ. The meeting is held by the board to make important decisions for our organization for the next year and foreseeable future. New Board of DirectorsOur Board is comprised of dedicated volunteers who generously give their time and expertise. This year's Board is: Annual Executive ReportWe are now releasing our Executive Annual Reports, view it here or go to our about page. We hope you give it a read and learn how our year has been!  Last Friday we had our Annual General Meeting and our annual BBQ. The meeting is held by the board to make important decisions for our organization for the next year and foreseeable future. New Board of DirectorsOur Board is comprised of dedicated volunteers who generously give their time and expertise. This year's Board is: Nolan Clark, Sandy Sigmund, Deena D. Simon, Mark Taylor (New member), H.B. Teo Peter Vogel, and Goodwin Young. Leaving the board are Chad Leaman, Bev Collins, and Mark Kurschner Executive Annual ReportWe are now releasing our Executive Annual Report, view it here or go to our about page.
This month we distributed 400 computers and laptops! 🖥️💻The computers and laptops went to...
Thank you donors! 💗
& all individual donors! Connecting Families announcement photo via Minister Bain's Twitter The Connecting Families Initiative was announced by Minister Navneet Bains. This initiative will allow low-income families to access high speed internet for only $10 a month thanks to the cooperation and support of major telecoms TELUS, Bell Canada, Cogeco, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw, and Vidéotron. This initiative will also supply 50,000 free computers for these families and we will be the ones supplying these computers to British Columbians.  “We are very excited to be part of this initiative as it will have a positive impact on BC families and speaks to our organizational vision where everyone has equal access to technology. It brings a new challenge for us to increase the number of computer donations we need to collect and refurbish but it feels great to add families to the groups we have traditionally supported.” - Mary-Em Waddington, Executive Director We hired 2 new student technicians and gave work experience to 1 high school student. We are excited to have them join our team. We also had to say good bye to 1 technician whose work term has recently ended. We wish them the all best in their academics and budding career!  photo via Minister Bain's Twitter BIG NEWS: Soon we will be able to distribute refurbished computers to low-income families! ❤️🖥️The Connecting Families Initiative was announced today by Minister Navneet Bains. This initiative will allow low-income families to access high speed internet for only $10 a month thanks to the cooperation and support of major telecoms TELUS, Bell Canada, Cogeco, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw, and Vidéotron.
This initiative will also supply 50,000 free computers for these families and we will be the ones supplying these computers to British Columbians. “We are very excited to be part of this initiative as it will have a positive impact on BC families and speaks to our organizational vision where everyone has equal access to technology. It brings a new challenge for us to increase the number of computer donations we need to collect and refurbish but it feels great to add families to the groups we have traditionally supported.” - Mary-Em Waddington, Executive Director Read more about Connecting Families here: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/111.nsf/eng/home This month we distributed 529 computers and laptops! 🖥️💻The computers and laptops went to...
We attended the Burnaby Board of Trade's Business Showcase & Recycling Council of BC's Zero Waste ConferenceThese were great events for us to talk about our mission and to get people to stop disposing or recycling their computers and laptops!
We hit a new milestone... |
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We hired 1 new student technician!
We are excited to have them join our team. We also had to say good bye to 1 technician whose work term has recently ended. We wish them the all best in their academics and budding career!
We just hit another milestone!
Today, we have refurbished and delivered our 165,000th computer!
Thank you to all of our donors and clients who make our mission possible!
Thank you to all of our donors and clients who make our mission possible!
Together, we have given 165,000 computers and laptops a meaningful second life and saved...
- 39,600,000 kg of fossil fuels,
- 3,630,000 kg of chemicals,
- and 825,000 tons of water.
We were able to reach this milestone thanks to the
continued support of the Computers for Schools Program!
continued support of the Computers for Schools Program!
Thank you donors!
We are able to run the Computers for Schools program because of your continued support.
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And all individual donors!
This month we distributed 318 computers and laptops to...
- 21 schools: This includes schools like Brooksbank Elementary in North Vancouver, Vancouver Island University in Vancouver, and South Delta Secondary. These schools use computers and laptops for various things ranging from simply increasing their computer-to-student ratios so that every student has access to a computer during class to effectively learn, upgrading their current computers to keep up with the growing advances in computing, or even helping specific students.
- 20 nonprofits: Nonprofits such as: Dixon Transition Society, who provide a continuum of services including safe housing, support, counselling and education for women and children impacted by violence; Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, who undertake and support research and long term monitoring of wildlife populations of the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Haida Gwaii, as well as provide opportunities for non-scientists to participate as volunteers in field programs; Vancouver Community Network, who operates and promotes a free, publicly accessible, non-commercial, community computer utility in the Lower Mainland of BC which provides a public space on the Internet; and Sea To Sky Invasive Species Council, who minimise the threat of invasive species that impact on the environment, the economy and human health in the Sea to Sky corridor.
- 6 Students: These students now have access to a desktop computers in their homes and that will allow them to do their homework (and procrastinate 😉), communicate with friends and family, look for jobs, learn new skills, etc.
We Supported Skills Canada's Provincial Competition
We lent out 80 computers for the Skills Canada BC's 2018 Provincial Competition.
The competition was held at Tradex (or BC Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Abbotsford. More than 600 competitors in 58 competition areas competed in fields as diverse as: aerospace, automotive, 3D Animation, baking, welding, robotics — and much more!
Our Computers were used for all the technology based competitions of course.
The competition was held at Tradex (or BC Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Abbotsford. More than 600 competitors in 58 competition areas competed in fields as diverse as: aerospace, automotive, 3D Animation, baking, welding, robotics — and much more!
Our Computers were used for all the technology based competitions of course.
We Celebrated Earth Day
we have made three new web pages that detail our commitment to sustainability:
Environmental Impact Calculator, Reuse vs Recycle, and Our Sustainability Practices
Environmental Impact Calculator, Reuse vs Recycle, and Our Sustainability Practices
We hired one new technician and provided two high-school students with work experience!
We are excited to have them join our team. We also had to say good bye to 1 technician whose work terms have recently ended. We wish them the all best in their academics and budding career!
Donating is easy and we ALWAYS need tech donations.
Click here to learn how you can make a difference!
Happy Earth Day!
As you may already know, sustainability is a core focus for us here at BC Tech as we refurbish computers and laptops to be reused, diverting them from premature recycling or from ending up in landfills. This significantly reduces e-waste thus protecting the environment from further harm, as well as saving resources by reducing the amount of new computers being manufactured.
Our front page "Earth Day" Banner :)
This year, to commemorate Earth Day, we have made three new web pages that detail our commitment to sustainability.
| Did you know that the manufacturing of a new computer takes at least:
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 | We often get asked: "Why should I donate my computers instead of recycling them? Doesn't recycling make them new again?" We've all heard reuse, reduce, recycle. They are all excellent practices, however, they are not equal. This page goes in depth as to why reusing is the more sustainable practice over recycling. As well as how reusing will also lead to an overall reduction which is the most sustainable of the three. |
In addition to refurbishing computers and laptops for reuse, we also make great effort to be sustainable in our overall operations. Read more about how we utilize green transportation options, reduce energy usage, reduce waste, and foster a culture to be more sustainable.