Hi everyone
I work for a family-driven mental health non-profit in Massachusetts called the Parent/Professional Advocacy League (www.ppal.net). We work with families of children, youth and young adults who live with behavioral, emotional or mental health needs. One component of my job here is working with teens and young adult interns who typically work for us on stipends or as volunteers. These youth come from all sorts of backgrounds and lived experience and work on anything from prepping materials for our conferences, trainings, and workshops to developing support group agendas, events or trainings for youth, parents and professionals on what it’s like to live as a young person with mental health needs.
The point of this post is that we really, really need a few computers. They could be desktops or laptops, - they only need to be able to use the internet for research and Gmail purposes and use Microsoft Word and Excel (and Publisher if possible.) Windows XP would be completely acceptable. As the interns here get better and better at compiling resource spreadsheets, writing tip sheets for other youth, and working at a statewide level to enhance youth and young adult services and make them more youth-driven we need them to have access to computers when they are here to work.
Currently we have one laptop the 6 interns share with staff. Over February, April and summer vacations we have up to 12 interns working for us every day. Having only one computer is a difficult arrangement and really impedes how much they could be accomplishing.
We’re located in Worcester, Massachusetts. We’d be able to travel a bit, especially towards Boston, if you or or your organization were able to donate. Please keep us in mind if you’re upgrading machines or if your organization has something that might be of use to us!
Thanks so much.
Reblogging this again because our only laptop just crashed, and our IT person isn’t too optimistic. AWESOME. If you seriously know of any local orgs looking to help out or donate computers, please let me know. Thanks.
