Local Computer Recycling Programs to Provide 165 Free, Refurbished Computers for HISD Students

Over the next week, 165 HISD students from two different schools will take home a free, refurbished computer thanks to two local computer recycling programs.

The computers will be given to students at Sugar Grove Academy and Berry Elementary School. They are being provided by Comp-U-Dopt and TechnoCycle.

The first distribution will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Sugar Grove Academy, 8405 Bonhomme. Sixty refurbished desktop computers will be provided by Comp-U-Dopt, an organization that provides refurbished computers and technology education to motivated children in underserved communities throughout the Houston area.

Sugar Grove students had to write an essay and their parents had to fill out an application to be considered for the program. Those selected must attend a two-hour training session with their parents on Oct. 19 before taking the computers home. After Saturday, Comp-U-Dopt will have provided a total of 177 computers to Sugar Grove students this school year.

The second distribution will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Berry Elementary School, 2310 Berry Road. There, 105 refurbished computers will be provided by TechnoCycle, an e-waste disposal and computer recycling services company that offers an outreach and education program that aims to bridge the digital divide for students.

At Berry Elementary, computers will be provided to first-graders who don’t already have a machine at home. Students and their parents must attend one of three 45-minute training sessions on Oct. 26 before receiving the computers. Berry Elementary also will be offering evening computer classes for interested parents. This marks the second year of the partnership between TechnoCycle and Berry. Last year, 115 refurbished computers were provided to first grade students.

Students from both schools may be eligible to participate in the Comcast Internet Essentials program, which offers reduced-cost internet service for low-income families participating in the National School Lunch Program.