Mercedes Garcia

CST 361

February 27, 2019

Service Learning Final Report

Loaves, Fishes, and Computers (LFC) is a non-profit organization located in Salinas,

California. This organization’s primary goal is to provide affordable desktop computers and

laptops to low income people in the communities of Monterey County, San Benito County, and

Santa Cruz County. LFC takes in donated computers and other equipment like printers and

phones, they later get assessed in order to decide whether they are in good enough condition to

be refurbished and if they are not, they are sent to e-waste. LFC’s mission statement is

“Our hope is to keep seniors, students, and the disabled connected to the resources,

opportunities, and community through technology. We believe that by providing a low-

income family or individual with a ready-to-use computer can help them achieve their

goals of job searching, career advancement, education, or life improvement.”,

as stated on their website. This non-profit organization is run primarily by paid staff and much

needed volunteers. There are two paid refurbishes who train volunteers on the process of

refurbishing. There is a great need for volunteers at LFC, given the number of donated

computers and laptops. Once refurbished, computers are sold quickly, so volunteers assist in

refurbishing computers so that there are always computers ready for sale. Due to the lack of

volunteers, there is a need to get computers refurbished in a timely manner so that there always

some in stock for people to purchase. The focus is on low income families who are in need of

these low-cost refurbished computers. Given that the cost of new computers is still too high for
low income families, this allows these families to own computers in that are in good and well-

functioning conditions.

I began volunteering at LFC in early January, and completed my 30 service learning

hours by the end of the month. The primary service I provided during my time there was at the

end stage of the refurbishing process, called the “burn in” process. This task involves testing and

updating the computer or laptop. I followed a list of actions (30 total), in which I had to check

off before it got to the shelf to be sold. For example, I tested the CD/DVD drivers, check id the

audio is working properly, and install any new updated for Windows 10. I believe I was able to

accomplish my goals from my initial Service Learning proposal, given the short amount of time I

was at LFC. Initially, I assisted in assessing newly donated laptops and later focused solely of the

“burn in” process. Each day that I volunteered at LFC, there was a newly refurbished

computer/laptop waiting for me to start updating and testing, there was never a lack of things to

do.

During the course of just thirty hours, in a period of a few weeks, I gained insights about

my community, in ways I was not anticipating. I was able to witness a true need in Monterey

County, as well as surrounding counties, for affordable used/refurbished computers and laptops.

My knowledge about the digital divide was very limited before volunteering at LFC. When I

stumbled up this organization surfing the internet, I knew that I would want to volunteer there. I

was surprised to find out that such an organization exists and in Salinas, on top of that. I thought

it would be a small office or building with a small staff, but I was surprised to see the size of the

building and amount of staff the LFC needs to run the non-profit organization. The greatest

impact I gained during my time at LFC was seeing the number of customers that go to LFC to

purchase a computer. I now see why LFC requires a big space and staff to run it, and that’s
because there is huge demand for low priced computers/laptops in the community. I was

surprised to see how many people go into LFC finding a computer for their kids and home. I feel

that I witnessed firsthand the Digital Divide in my community, given the number of people

looking to buy a low-priced computer/laptop. There are still populations of people and families

that do not have the means to purchase a new, regular priced computer/laptop from a store. This

is a problem because these individuals lack access to such an important and even necessary tool

like a computer/laptop. I believe all homes in today’s society require a home computer or laptop

in order to have access to technology. Young children are lacking because education today

requires that students have a reliable computer or laptop at home in order to complete

assignments. I often witnessed families with school age children looking to purchase a computer.

I think LFC is a great non-profit organization, much needed in Monterey County, serving a

marginalized population of people that do not have access to vital tools like computers. LFC has

helped to bridge the Digital Divide in my community, I can only hope that my short time

volunteering at LFC, I was able to help an individual or family with a computer or laptop.

Overall, I am proud of the work I contributed and I can only hope I impacted positively to the

organization as well as the community.

During my time at LFC, I learned a wide range of things, from a personal standpoint as

well as from a technical standpoint. From a personal standpoint, I learned that the Digital Divide

is widespread and a real issue in society, specifically in my community. I learned the importance

of the work that LFC does to help bridge the Digital Divide. I gained a sense of social

responsibility after volunteering at LFC. I now have a drive and a clear intention to one day be

able to help the bridge the Digital Divide in my future work. I hope that I can use my privilege as

a future Computer Science professional to encourage young minority children to pursue careers
in Computer Science. I believe that may help bridge the Digital Divide because of the lack of

minorities in Computer Science. I did not have this desire before volunteering at LFC, and I hope

I can find a way to positively contribute to my community with my knowledge, even if it’s going

back to LFC to volunteer. From a technical standpoint, I learned about the refurbishing process

of computer. I do not have prior experience with taking apart a computer and disassembling the

parts, so I learned the basics of how to break part a computer. In addition, I learned about the

“burn in” process, where a newly refurbished computer is tested by running a series of tasks and

tests, as well as updating necessary software programs. I now have an understanding of how to

refurbish used or old computers.

For future students performing service projects like mine at LFC, I would recommend to

brush up on computer parts and learning about Windows 10, if they are Mac users. Because LFC

is dedicated in refurbishing computers and laptops, it is essential and beneficial for students to

learn or research as much as they can before starting their volunteering hours. They should

research about the refurbishing process if they do not have prior experience in breaking a

computer apart. I am a Mac user and I forgot how Windows operates, I had re-learn a lot about

Windows, given that most of the donated computers run Windows 10. I recommend this because

it will allow students to learn quickly. Once they start their hours, they are better equipped to

start refurbishing computers. I would also recommend students that if students do have prior

experience with refurbishing, they should be open to learning new techniques and processes

about refurbishing used computers. Following LFC’s protocol will help to maintain order and

efficacy.

My experience working with LFC, I learned so much about the Digital Divide, social

responsibility, and about how non-profit organizations work. I enjoyed my time volunteering at
LFC, the staff was very welcoming and kind. It was a laid-back environment, but was also busy

with the flow of donated computers going into LFC. There is demand for volunteers given the

amount of people that go in requesting a computer. LFC treats its volunteers very well, providing

snacks and the freedom to choose where volunteers want to help with. There are many areas in

which to volunteer within the organization, so LFC asks volunteers where they would like be

placed. I appreciated the fact that if I did not feel comfortable with a task, there was another area

in which to contribute my work. The refurnishing staff was vital, given that they guided us every

step of the way, and we open to questions. Volunteers that volunteer at LFC regularly were also

open to questions and were great to work with. Overall, I am very happy to have served my 30

hours at LFC. I met new people, learned new technical skills, and more importantly my small

contribution allowed someone to purchase an affordable computer.