Non-profit organization

[Mel]

Okay here's my thoughts... I was just talking to my advisor adn she was just telling me how some of her students who have disabilities are unable to afford a computer but could use a computer to take some classes online because they cannot attend classes due to having seizures and now she has to withdrawal.

My thought... There really is no organization around here that offers computers to students who have disabilities any kind of disability who is NOT taking a computer class. So I would like to start a thing where agencies donate their old computers and then I would find people at fmcc and other colleges through the disability offices who are in need of a computer and have no way of getting one. I would also like to set to work on making setting something up where I can go around and help people learn more about computers and get them more familiar with the computer and internet Like start a class or something.

So anyways this is my thoughts and I would like feedback. I am going to work on a letter to send out to agencies around the area to see if I can even get donations and help and go from there. I will share the letter with you and I will also get help from Robin my adivisor and she has Hook ups so maybe we can get something in the local paper too.

I want suggestions for a mission statement for this program that I want to start. My goal is to help people who have disabilities who are in need of a computer to finish their education that cannot afford them. Education is VERY important. And there are just some poeople out there that cannot afford computers.
So jump right in and Help me out here.

Always~Mel

[samm]

I think that this is a great idea - I see everyday how much computers help people with disabilites, it opens up a whole world of possiblites for them, and can also help them to gain confidence and think about a career change etc - it also gives independance.

It can be very rewarding working with people and seeing and sharing their progress - I love the work that I do, and I can appreciate how very difficult it is when a person does not have access to a computer.

Im not sure about the polocies over there regarding donating used computers, but over here in the uk the laws changed and companies were unable to donate their old machines due to the data protection act, in that they could never be 100% sure that the old data had been removed. But many of those companies have a charity or fundraising division, and I am sure that they would be willing to help - a good letter is a great start - we have a fund raising letter that I use - we get a lot of knock backs, but some do actually donate funds - you could also see if your local papers might want to do a feature on this - do a press release, send it in to them and see if they will pick up on it?

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help:)

Love ya!

Sammxxx

[Mel]

could u email me a rough draft of the fund raiser letter. I never thought about raising money for new computers for students. I think I need a license or something for that though not really sure. I emailed someone from the mental Health Department around here still waiting to hear back. Will work more on it when I get done with school like this summer.

Thanks for your input. Mel