Welcome to Cristina Connections
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Across America, the need for computers is acute and urgent.
In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, schools, libraries, offices and gathering places across the country are being closed. This necessary action exposes a critical and heartbreaking aspect of the digital divide. Millions of Americans simply do not have internet access and a computer at home.
We've activated a corporate campaign to support our NCF partners and practitioners in their efforts to bring vital hardware and connectivity to the public.
We are responding quickly to ongoing developments and are ramping up our technology to support record levels of engagement and public needs.
For more information on our combined efforts and
how you can help
, click below.
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Cristina Network Virtual Meet-Up:
The Response to COVID-19; Looking to the Future of NCF.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31,
we will be hosting a conference call and meet up for all our non-profit practitioners in the National Cristina Network. The purpose of this meeting is to:
- Updates on COVID-19 efforts from NCF and our affiliates
- Share information about NCF's plans for the future
- Encourage connection and community-building inside the Cristina Network
When:
Tuesday, March 31
Time:
2:00 pm Eastern
As part of NCF's ongoing effort to support our practitioners, facilitate sharing of strategies, partner needs and best practices to encourage a more engaged network, we are planning to host additional meet-ups going forward as well.
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NCF Celebrates Women of Impact
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Women's History Month is a celebration of women's contributions to history, culture and society. In recognition of Women's History Month, we are highlighting women from our NCF Network who are champions in promoting awareness and solutions for digital inclusion.
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Yvette Marrin Co-Founder/Board of Directors
National Cristina Foundation
The story of the
National Cristina Foundation
began in Yonkers, New York when a child approached her special education teacher weeping and asked her, “What is to become of me that I am handicapped? That teacher was Yvette Marrin.
"Until our founding, there was no concept of a national donation and reuse program for previously used computer equipment. Our dream was that no used computer would ever be wasted. This equipment would instead be put back to work to develop skills that would enable children and adults to lead more independent and productive lives. It was our firm belief that no one should ever be left behind in a world that was becoming increasingly dependent on technology."
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Lynda Hawkins
Co-Founder/Executive Director UNeed2
Uneed2, Inc
. is a nonprofit organization in California, that enables individuals to have an equal opportunity in education and career development by bridging the digital divide.
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Jodi Martin, Co-Founder/Executive Director
We started with a great idea, but without a budget. Thanks to technology donors, sponsors, foundations and volunteers - our mission has grown from my garage and kitchen table to a self-sustaining social enterprise that creates employment and has made technology accessible for more than 18,000 people living in Maine.
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Juanette Appleton - Ivy, Manager
FreeGeek Chicago
FreeGeek Chicago
was founded in August 2005 as a collaboration of NPOTechs and Logan Square CTC to recycle computer technology and provide low- and no-cost computing to economically disadvantaged individuals and not-for-profit and social change organizations.
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Vivian Ruiz, Executive Director
Disability Resources/New2U Computers
New2U Computers
, a program of Disability Resources, is a non profit computer refurbishing and recycling program in Nevada.
To support their mission, New2U Computers provides free computers to local people with disabilities and a 30% discount on desktop computer systems. All proceeds help support Disability Resources, Inc. and local people with disabilities.
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Nancy Jo Craig, Executive Director
Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council
CACRC
is a nonprofit organization in Louisiana, committed to e-scrap reduction through responsible recycling of electronics. They are also dedicated to providing refurbished computers and equipment to schools, nonprofits, and low income families.
The organization accomplishes this by electronic refurbishment and recycling including collection, sorting, dismantling, refurbishing, data-wiping, sales, and donations.
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Calvetta Phair, Founder/Executive Director
The On It Foundation
The Founder’s personal history is behind the creation of The On It Foundation in Florida. Due to personal hardships, she was unable to purchase a computer for her daughter who was struggling in her computer class. After conducting an extensive search for organizations and businesses that might relinquish donated or surplus computers to low-income families, she found none that were willing to donate directly to individuals.
In November 1999,
The On It Foundation
was founded, with a mission dedicated to providing free computers along with computer training and Internet access to low income students in grades K-12
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The organizations highlighted are members of
AFTRR
(The Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse), a program of the National Cristina Foundation. AFTRR member organizations vary widely in size, organizational model, populations served, staffing and related resources and targets the elimination of the digital divide as their ultimate goal.
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