human-I-T began its journey in 2012 when co-founder James Jack overheard a conversation that would change the course of his life. James' manager advised a customer to discard his virus-infected computer and purchase a new one. Knowing that computers are fraught with toxic, hazardous materials, James was taken aback at the thought of a reusable device being tossed in a landfill.
That conversation served as inspiration to start human-I-T. Alongside colleague Gabe Middleton, James began human-I-T as not only a place where reusable technology could be repaired rather than scrapped, but to connect newly repurposed devices to end users lacking access to technology.
Gabe and James subsequently opened an electronics repair shop in an office the size of a storage closet. Their mission was to raise money to launch their new enterprise, dubbed human-I-T - a name combining their IT experience with their team, AND those they hoped to serve. The two gradually expanded from their tiny space to a full-scale warehouse operation in 2013. Thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors, human-I-T has grown into a multi-facility operation with a team of 50. human-I-T continues to disrupt the E-Waste/ recycling industry today, a global industry worth $40 billion by 2020.
human-I-T has grown exponentially since its 2012 launch. Please view our video, produced in-house (literally) to understand human-I-T’s extraordinary progression since our humble beginnings. The name and logo may have changed, but the dedication to shrinking the digital divide is central to our core.
human-I-T believes that through social entrepreneurship, opportunities are created for our world to become more inclusive, sustainable, and bold.
We inspire and empower people through technology and information to achieve their full potential.
This isn’t just our mission. It’s our purpose.
human-I-T’s team repairs donated technology that normally would be relegated to a landfill. A socially responsible company, human-I-T strives to lead the charge to closing the digital divide by giving those in need electronics free of charge.
All human-I-T staff and volunteers believe in the power of information and want to make sure our recipients have that same ability to access it.
human-I-T breathes new life into your old electronics by repairing and repurposing them. We work with the general public, non-profits, corporations and government entities to achieve this goal.
Through our programs, human-I-T is able to provide those in need with broadband access to online essentials such as school assignments, job opportunities, free online learning courses, and other local programs of value to our recipients.
Refurbished Hardware
human-I-T breathes new life into your old electronics by repairing and repurposing them to help others - thus keeping usable electronics out of landfills.
Internet Access
human-I-T provides high-speed internet capability for recipient homes and agencies at a free or heavily discounted cost.
Digital literacy training
We provide improved access to online necessities such as school assignments, job opportunities, free online learning courses, and other relevant local programs to our recipients.
View this original video to discover how far human-I-T has come since its kickoff in 2012.
Help human-I-T Impact Lives
Our team’s mission merges social consciousness with eco-friendliness as it repurposes technology for underserved communities.
Each donation means less toxic E-Waste in landfills, while lifting up those in need by providing opportunities to search for jobs, apply for college, and take classes online. Our network of recipient organizations include Girls In Tech and Veterans in Need Foundation, among other non-profit organizations that help us connect our repurposed technology to those requiring assistance.
Donate to human-I-T to help inspire others, while improving our planet.
The following may qualify for our recipient program:
All of our recipients must qualify as low-income. Proof of low-income includes, but is not limited to the following:
Only sixty-six percent (66 %) of US households that earn less than $50,000 per year have a computer in the home. Low-income families are disconnected from opportunity in the digital age as a result. With the help of human-I-T and partners such as Girls In Tech, underserved communities can expand their horizons by learning, connecting and finding jobs online.
When compared to the general population, veterans not only have less access to the internet but are less likely to go online, when access is available (71% use the Internet at home and remote locations). human-I-T is honored to equip Veterans in Need with the technology required to stay current in a rapidly changing digital age. Valuable online resources available to veterans include medical records, online support groups and social outreach, along with job opportunities. We feel it is the least we can do to repay them for their service.
Disabilities can create difficulties accessing technology at a library or community center. At home, only 61% of Americans with disabilities own a computer with 57% equipped with a broadband connection. Limited options hinder the ability to gain employment, research medical information, and connect with family and friends. Technology also helps assist the disabled by increasing awareness of online services that offer transportation, food delivery and basic home services such as housekeeping, gardening and food delivery.
With 34% of seniors not online, human-I-T is actively seeking to lower this number by reaching out to the digitally under-represented senior community and providing distribution programs through HUD housing sites including Independent Square and Union Tower. Just as in the disabled community, seniors benefit by using the internet not only to connect with friends and family, but to establish ties with providers of transportation, housekeeping and food delivery services.
Underfunded Title I (40% of students qualify as low-income) schools are regularly unable to afford proper technology. Students cannot be expected to thrive in an environment where technology is continuously needed but not available to them both in and out of the classroom. By connecting schools that primarily serve low-income students, we give staff and students an opportunity to tap into educational resources that live online.
IRS designated charitable organizations qualify for our philanthropic distribution program. By connecting other nonprofits to technology, human-I-T exponentially increases its immediate impact. Technology recipients include homeless shelters, after school programs, as well as community and child development centers. Examples of human-I-T’s partner organizations include the following:
More than 82 million households in the U.S. do not have high speed internet access
