InterConnection.org

Infobox Company
company_name = InterConnection.org
company_
company_type = 501(c)(3)
foundation = 1999
founder = Charles Brennick
location = 2222 N. Pacific St.
Seattle, Washington
United States
key_people = Charles Brennick,
Founder/RPCV
area_served =
industry = Technology, International Development
products = High-Quality, Low-Cost Refurbished Computers
services = Project Assistance, Free Web-design Consultation
company_slogan = "Sharing Technology. Creating Opportunity"
homepage = [http://www.interconnection.org/index.html www.interconnection.org]
footnotes =

InterConnection.org (IC) is an American 501(c)(3), non-profit organization headquartered in Seattle, Washington. InterConnection was established in 1999 by Charles Brennick. The organization's original focus was on developing and donating websites to non-profits in developing countries. The program soon expanded to include computer donations and technology training. In 2004, the InterConnection [http://www.interconnection.org/crlc.html Computer Reuse and Learning Center] opened in Seattle as a hub to serve both local and international communities. [cite web
last = Brennick
first = Charles
title = InterConnection.org Home Page
url=http://www.interconnection.org
accessdate = 2008-04-18]

Mission

InterConnection's mission is to make information technology accessible to under served communities around the world. IC is founded on the belief that technology has the power to create opportunity for everyone. It is for this reason IC works diligently in the proliferation of information technology and training.

Activities

In pursuance of its Mission InterConnection manages and promotes a number of program activities. The following are four of IC's main program activities:

Equipment Collection

As technology advances many businesses, organizations and individuals find themselves with outdated computer equipment but no way to dispose of it properly. IC's [http://www.interconnection.org/crlc.html Computer Reuse and Learning Center] , in Seattle, Washington, provides a location to properly dispose of old equipment in an environmentally friendly way. InterConnection accepts all computer equipment, regardless of condition. IC manages programs for both computer recycling and computer reuse. In 2007 alone, InterConnection kept 6,000 PCs out of landfills. [ cite web
last = Miller
first = Brian
title = Seattle's E-Wast Conundrum
url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/2008-01-02/news/seattle-s-e-waste-conundrum.php?page=full
accessdate = 2008-04-18] All donations received by (IC) are guaranteed to be handled appropriately; unusable equipment is recycled, viable equipment is refurbished and reused. This allows individuals, businesses and organizations to address e-waste issues in a simple environmentally friendly way. IC is a 501(c)(3); all donations are tax-deductible and secure. [cite web
title = Wikipedia Article: 501(c)(3)
url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501%28c%293#501.28c.29.283.29
accessdate = 2008-04-18] Donors are provided with the necessary tax-deduction documentation.

Training

InterConnection provides computer training and education courses to low-income volunteers in the Seattle area. In the Computer Reuse and Learning Center these volunteers receive hands-on computer hardware training while refurbishing used computer equipment. The refurbished equipment is then sent by IC, to organizations working around the world in education and development.

Refurbished Computers

Computers refurbished by IC's low-income volunteers are made available to under served communities around the world for a small sourcing fee. This program not only creates a training environment for local community members it also makes information technology accessible around the globe. InterConnection's refurbished systems create academic, professional and economic opportunity for people throughout the developing world. All of IC's refurbished computers are upgraded and fully tested before shipment. IC also provides order customization at the partners request.

Internet Services

InterConnection's original purpose was to design and host free websites for small organizations working in the developing world. Now, IC focuses primarily on its refurbished computer and training programs. However, InterConnection still provides organizations with free web-design, web-hosting and free email services. By helping organizations create a web presence, IC is able to improve organizations ability to communicate and connect with like minded groups and individuals around the world.

Partnerships

Computer Recipients

InterConnection has supplied over 10,000 refurbished computers to organizations around the world. The following is information on just a few of InterConnection's computer recpients:

Partner Organizations

References

External links

* [http://www.interconnection.org/index.html InterConnection.org – InterConnection's Homepage]
* [http://www.kirotv.com/video/15249035/index.html KiroTV News – Spotlight on InterConnection]
* [http://www.seattleweekly.com/2008-01-02/news/seattle-s-e-waste-conundrum.php Seattle Weekly – Focus on InterConnection]
* [http://www.uneptie.org/pc/pc/waste/e_waste_faq.htm UN Environment Programme – Faqs about E-waste]