Needed: Used computers for schoolchildren

Thousands of people in the Ithaca area have computers, and some have two or three between work and home. The Cornell-Ithaca Partnership (C-IP) is hoping that as these users upgrade their equipment, many will choose to donate their still-functional computers to local schoolchildren from low-income families.

"When we recently assessed how many students at the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School [BJM] do not have access to computers at home, we discovered a resounding 57 kids. In today's educational landscape, a child without a computer is a child who may not succeed," said Tish A. Pearlman, program coordinator of C-IP.

The school and the partnership have launched a monthlong campaign to obtain computers for these students. "Our goal is to ensure that every child at BJM, no matter their family income, receives a computer," said Pearlman, who added the current computer campaign ends Dec. 12.

C-IP, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Cornell, brings university resources to assist in addressing the concerns of downtown Ithaca neighborhoods; Joe Laquatra, Cornell associate professor of design and environmental analysis, is its acting director. C-IP also is in partnership with the Ithaca Youth Bureau's Computer All Stars program, which refurbishes used computers for area families. However, this program services all of Tompkins County, and there is a long waiting list.

To donate a working computer to BJM, call Pearlman at C-IP at 216-0510 or e-mail her at tap27@cornell.edu. The C-IP also accepts computers in need of repair for the Computer All Stars program.