Nonprofit organization PCs for People recently expanded into Seattle, taking over the operations of what was previously the nonprofit InterConnection.
With its new location, the Minnesota-headquartered PCs for People is working with Seattle Housing Authority and other local partners to help provide affordable electronics, computer repair, internet access and digital literacy training, to help enable people gain access to education, employment and personal development opportunities.
PCs for People is building on the work of Seattle-based InterConnection, a 25-year-old repair and refurbishment organization working to advance digital inclusion, according to a press release. InterConnection was well known in the digital equity space and was involved with the nonprofit Digiunity’s Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse.
The nonprofit experienced unspecified challenges of late, and on Feb. 3, the Seattle operations officially became part of the PCs for People organization, maintaining some of the same personnel.
“InterConnection has always been focused on creating opportunity through technology,” said Martín Moreno, chairman of the InterConnection board, in the press release. “In PCs for People, we recognized a steadfast commitment to digital inclusion and a proven, sustainable model for expanding impact. We are excited to see them continue this important work.”
“We are deeply honored by the trust InterConnection has placed in PCs for People to continue advancing digital equity,” said Casey Sorensen, CEO of PCs for People.
The nonprofit has been steadily growing its footprint, with a processing facility in Atlanta and a facility in Philadelphia opening in the past few years.
In 2024, PCs for People distributed more than 133,000 refurbished devices to families, students and professionals in need, according to its most recent impact report, released Feb. 22. The group notes that demand for affordable computers continues to grow, especially in schools and rural areas.
Other notable figures during the year include:
- 6.4 million pounds of e-scrap collected.
- Support for more than 88,000 people and more than 36,000 students through computers, internet access and digital skills.
- More than half of PCs for People customers had never owned a computer before; 67% of customers were unemployed; and average annual household income for customers was $16,046.
