Computers 2 SD Kids
8324 Miramar Mall , San Diego, California, United States

Computers 2 SD Kids is a non-profit organization created with the goal of assisting qualified children and their families to obtain computers, software, training and support in order to help them become computer literate as well as increase their access to educational, occupational and financial resources and the related skills to effectively use that technology.Studies show that, even taking into account socioeconomic status, children with home computers perform at higher academic levels across the board. In today’s technology driven market, the chasm that separates the technologically connected from the technologically unconnected severely limits the overall success of the family thus widening the socioeconomic gap.

We place computers in the homes of low-income families who have a need for technology to enhance their children’s academic success. Our goal is to provide computers to be used for schoolwork; however, we know that having a computer in the home also enables families in many different and positive ways. Whether it’s completing a school assignment, developing job skills, seeking employment opportunities, increasing financial literacy, improving communications, or expanding access, technology helps individuals achieve their goals.Our prime goal is to place the needed computers into the homes of 28% of San Diego County families who cannot afford this essential educational tool. The size of the low-income families we serve is from 3 to 11 members per household.

Through our Technology Grant Program, applicants are reviewed for socio-economic status and family dynamics, and accepted candidates are contacted to receive training and a computer. To make our program effective we have forged strong relationships with many different organizations from our community to help us identify families where the computers would not only make a significant impact, but a broad impact as well.

History

Computers 2 SD Kids (C2SDK) was established in late 2004 by Larry Hershfield (the Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiian Holdings, Chairman of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and CEO of Ranch Capital) and his wife Tammy. Their goal was to establish a philanthropic endeavor that would help to reduce the digital divide, the disparity between people who have access to technology and those who don’t.Through exposure to other kids in their community, the Hershfield’s began to realize that many children did not have equal access to computer technology. As they witnessed many of their friends replacing their computers with the “latest and greatest” they often wondered, “What happened to the old systems?” They knew that the old computers still worked, that most people don’t try to sell them since they aren’t worth much, and that the systems are made of materials that are not environmentally friendly and they wondered how they were being recycled?

C2SDK was born...

Eventually the Hershfield’s decided that these systems would be best used toward providing technology to those in need. They knew that in a world that revolves around technology, the digital divide that existed within their community would continue to place many children and their families at a disadvantage, during their school years and beyond. It was this thought that made the Hershfield’s start Computers 2 San Diego Kids (C2SDK).Today, C2SDK goes far beyond merely collecting, recycling and refurbishing computers from individuals but now works with many large corporations and effectively takes their old systems and repurposes them by giving them to San Diego families in need.C2SDK responds to this digital disparity and the real-world demand for computer literacy through its Technology Assistance Program that recycles and refurbishes used computers and delivers them to families in need. C2SDK also provides each recipient with education, training and technical support necessary to achieve success.

Why Recycling Makes a Difference?

C2SDK believes it’s critical that we reduce computer waste, which comprises about 23 million tons of garbage that is generated each year. Although some of the metals, glass and plastics in many electronics are indeed recyclable, more than 70% ends up in landfills in Asian and West African Countries. C2SDK also strongly believes that the estimated 30 to 40 million PCs that are recycled annually, most still in working condition, could be better used by refurbishing them and giving them to the 28% of San Diego homes without access to technology. In a world that revolves aggressively around technology, the technological shortfall within our community would continue to place these deserving children and their families at a disadvantage, during their school years and beyond.

Long-term storage is not the answer

In 2007, the U.S. EPA estimated that 65.7 million desktop computers, 42.4 million computer monitors and 2.1 million laptop computers were in storage, not being used, costing their owners thousands of dollars in unnecessary storage fees each year.C2SDK can provide corporations and individuals with a green alternative to their technology storage and disposal needs. Additionally, donors get the added value of providing needed technology that has been traditionally denied to low-income families.

Prevent e-waste and make a donation

C2SDK can provide corporations and individuals with a green alternative that takes used cell phones, refurbishes them, and then re-sells them to distributors and carriers for use primarily in developing countries, providing affordable communications to poorer citizens while helping to “bridge the digital divide.” When you donate your phone to C2SDK, 100 percent of the profits from the sales go into the software provided on the systems we distribute to low-income families.

Recycling Servers and Office Phone Systmens

C2SDK now provides one-stop IT Asset Disposal while maximizing community responsibility in an environmental sound fashion. Whether it is one Router or a Whole Data Center – we want it!All your donated IT equipment, whether working or not, will provide much needed funding revenues to aid in C2SDK’s mission "…all children and their families in San Diego, regardless of their economic status, need to be computer literate and have equal access to technology and the crucial educational, occupational, and financial resources that technology can provide to improve their educational options and their futures."

When your company donates IT equipment to C2SDK, each item is either refurbished to be utilized directly by the children and families we serve or remarketed to provide funds to purchase software, LCD monitors and other items we need.Our remarketing partners assist C2SDK in maximizing the residual value for any Routers, Switches, and Telecom equipment that you donate to C2SDK, creating a simplistic solution to your needs, ranging from logistics support, audit processes for internal control and maximum value recovery for C2SDK.

Recycling Drop Off Center

All items storing personal data will be sanitized in compliance with the Department of Defense Sanitization Standards as outlines in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual DoD 5220.22-M. There is no charge to the donor and C2SDK provides tax receipts upon request. Need help determining the value of your items? Try TurboTax ItsDeductable. Its free and easy to use.C2SDK works with local agencies to host eWaste events throughout San Diego County. For the communities convenience we also accept donations out our warehouse facility centrally located off Miramar Road between I-805 and I-15.