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People's Resource
Center (PRC)
201 Naperville
Wheaton, IL 60187
Dennis McCann,
Computer Training
Director
John Victor,
Computer Access and
IT Director
Fax: (630) 682-5412
More Information:
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Happy 11th Birthday ! Overview
The Computer Programs, established in 1997, give low-income people marketable computer skills and basic knowledge about the technology as well as a computer for their home.
The goals are to help eliminate the "digital divide" by helping people achieve mainstream wages and a career path -- long term solutions to escaping poverty.
The PRC continuously receives donated computers and places them in neighborhood training centers throughout DuPage County.
PRC recruits volunteer instructors who offer computer courses in these neighborhood sites.
We have placed over 5000 donated, reconditioned computers in families' homes. The mission is to provide a computer to every low-income household in DuPage County that needs one and computer literacy instruction to every adult (18 years of age or older) in these households who requests it. The programs are growing and have become a model for the State of Illinois. The following computer related services are at the People's Resource Center.
Please see further computer program pages by clicking any of the items listed under More Information on the left. MAR Program Exceeds ExpectationsWhen the People's Resource Center was approved for the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) program in January we had estimated that we'd need If there was any doubt about the popularity of refurbished Windows computers, the recent experience of clients and volunteers has removed it. Clients are more confident with their computers and their classes. They find that help is readily available, software is obtainable, and upgrades are more manageable. Many are subscribing to free or reduced-cost Internet service. Moreover, they are telling their friends and neighbors, with the result that new clients are arriving at an increasing rate. To accommodate the increased demand we've had to improve our refurbishing productivity. Thanks to the efforts of many technical volunteers, the entire inventory of computer equipment was re-organized and the number of refurbishing workstations was increased to seven. With this improved work environment, it is quite common to have several technicians working at almost any part of the normal workweek. Some of the technicians are computer hobbyists, some are students that come after school, and some are technical professionals who may be between jobs. What they all have in common is an understanding of the Windows environment and a desire to help their less-fortunate neighbors. The MAR program has also allowed us to help over 15 other non-profit agencies. These include after-school programs, homeless shelters, a domestic violence center, a Chicago Community College, the Chicago Computer Society, a social service agency, and the Fairy Godmother Foundation, which provides gifts for the terminally ill and their families. We are encouraging organizations outside of DuPage County to consider starting their own computer initiative with our help. If you are interested in learning more about the program, in making a donation, or in volunteering, call Dennis McCann or John Victor at (630) 682-5402 or send a message via Contact Us.
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Last updated: 2/8/08
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