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In 2008, Free Geek donated six computers to Giving Tree NW, whose mission is to “help people living in low-income and transitional housing connect with themselves and their community.”
“Living in poverty creates a deep sense of isolation,” said Wendi Anderson, President of Giving Tree NW. “These people do not have the skills or resources necessary to reach out and ask for help.” They’ve lost hope.
“We teach them life-skills training, take them on art walks, and provide them with movie nights,” said Anderson. “We connect them with schools, social service organizations, job training, health and nutrition services, and technology.”
Their clients, such as teenage runaways, elderly veterans, people with mental illnesses, and children whose parents have fallen on bad times, all benefit from the six donated computers.
Computers Are Portals
to a Whole New Life
NOW CONNECTED
CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY ONE COMPUTER AT A TIME
www.freegeek.org • 1731 SE 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214 • (503) 232-9350
The Free Geek computers replaced obsolete machines in the computer labs installed at some of the Giving Tree’s home sites.
“Students use the computer labs for continuing with their education,” Anderson said. For other clients, particularly some that suffer from mental illness, the computers labs are an important link they possess to the outside world.
“The connection is critical,” Anderson said. “It makes a significant difference in alleviating the isolation and the depression that accompanies the transition from living on the streets.”
“With this donation the teenage runaways and children now have hope that life can be better with the ability to finish their education,” said Anderson. “And the adults can search for jobs to make a better life.”
We enable our community to connect to one another with each computer we donate. The following is a sampling of organizations who received Free Geek computer donations:
www.freegeek.org • 1731 SE 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214 • (503) 232-9350
Africa Bridge
Alberta Cooperative Grocery
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia NW
Cardio Start International
Casa de los Amigos
Cedar Mill Community Library
Giving Tree NW
Global Assistance
Green Building Services
Growing Gardens
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Human Solutions
Immanuels Heart Church
Insight Out Theatre Collective
JOIN (Pdx)
KBOO Foundation
Love Makes a Family
Meadow Park Middle School
New Energy Movement
Northwest Somali Community Org.
Oregon Peaceworks
Parkrose Middle School
Portland Children’s Museum
Portland Indy Media
Post Carbon Institute
Radio Bemba
Reynolds Alternative Middle School
Rising Tide North America
Rock’N’Roll Camp for Girls
SCRAP
Senior Housing & Retirement Enterprises
SJM Autistic Center
Stumptown Stages
Sunshine Physically Challenged Foundation
The City Repair Project
The Domestic Violence Resource Center
Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce
Transitional Youth
Village Free School
Wash. County Alliance on Mental Illness
Washington County Bicycle Transportation Coalition
Woodlawn School
Youth Employment Institute