The Homes for Dinosaurs project is a computer-recycling effort that collects donated computers from private businesses and individuals, then redistributes them to people with disabilities in Illinois. This exciting program was developed by the Hands Foundation, a non-profit organization headquartered in Monmouth, Illinois. In a short few years, Homes for Dinosaurs has taken off like wildfire and has helped Illinois attain a ranking of number one in the United States for computer literacy among its disabled citizens.
In Southern Illinois, Homes for Dinosaurs is currently looking for donations of fully functioning IBM and IBM-compatible computer systems based on the Pentium-class processor. These systems will be evaluated, reconfigured to use a version of the Windows(tm) environment or operating systems, and then, according to need and availability, they will be loaned to disabled individuals living in Southern Illinois. There is never any cost associated with these loans and the time frame in which the equipment may be used is limitless.
There are nearly 1.2 million people with disabilities living in Illinois. Homes for Dinosaurs wants to give each and every one of them the opportunity to have a computer system. We at Hands believe that through the development of computer skills, disabled citizens can more fully realize their potential to make a lasting contribution to society. We work closely with the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services to fill some of the requirements they can not.
Locally, Vickie Thorsen is the Homes for Dinosaurs Southern Illinois Coordinator. She oversees the collection and re-distribution of all computer systems for Southern Illinois. She is also responsible for reconditioning and reconfiguring these systems, so she is always looking for volunteers to help. If you have some free time and would like to help, you can reach Vickie by e-mail at vickie@accomputers.com. You don't have to be an expert with computers, just someone who cares to help others and has the patience to work with people who are often overwhelmed.
If you, or someone you know, live in Illinois and are in need of assistance from the HANDS Foundation, please click here for information on how to obtain assistance.
November 11, 2007