TECH SUPPORT

Local charity supplies computers to families in need

By DANIEL PIKE, STAFF WRITER
Published Sunday, November 27, 2005

In May 2003, Josh Webster learned he had a malignant brain tumor. The diagnosis answered many of his family's questions.

That's why Josh had behavioral issues and suffered from attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder. And that's why Josh, now 15, was losing his eyesight - his vision has been measured at 20/400.

Josh doesn't remember much about life before the diagnosis, but he's trying hard to deal with his disability, says his grandmother, Bonnie Webster. Now the two are seeking help from Computer Banc, a Springfield non-profit group that supplies refurbished computers to low-income families with learning-impaired children.

The Websters received a Computer Banc system several years ago, but they hope to get a second machine better suited to Josh's needs. A 21-inch monitor and a PC capable of running Zoomtech - the magnification program Josh uses in his special-education classes - would be ideal.

"He's trying to learn the keyboard, and he does fair," Bonnie Webster says. "But he can't see the keys, and he can't see what he's typed."

Josh says he'd like to find a keyboard equipped with Braille, which he's nearly mastered. Until then, he'll keep learning to type through trial and error.

"(A teacher) just puts my fingers on the home row at school," Josh says. "I know where all the letters are, but occasionally I'll miss one, and I can't see what I (did). So when I print, it all comes out wrong. It's kind of strange."

Josh is a bright, funny kid who seems eager to overcome his poor vision. But in order for him to do that, he must have a computer he can work with, says Anne Godman, executive director of Computer Banc.

"I think people used to think that a computer was not a necessity - it was just an extra," Godman says. "Now, for people to become self-sufficient and to be self-supporting and employable, the connection to technology is a necessity."

Godman says Computer Banc has distributed about 700 machines to Illinois families since its inception in 1999. About 75 percent of Computer Banc recipients are based in Sangamon County - Josh lives in Riverton - but there are no set geographic boundaries.

The only restrictions are household income and a child's learning ability - he or she must receive special education or be at least two years behind in reading or math. A recipient usually pays about $20 for a refurbished unit. All of Computer Banc's computers are donated by individuals, schools or businesses.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently gave Computer Banc a grant for advertising and equipment, Godman says. But the charity heavily depends on volunteers and donations for day-to-day operation.

Mike Mahorney of Springfield’s Nicoud Insurance has donated equipment and volunteered for Computer Banc. The father of twins who were born prematurely, Mahorney says he understands that some kids need to “catch up.”

“I see first-hand when a kid needs to have a little extra help,” he says. “And when you put financial limitations, educational limitations - all the things that many of the recipients of Computer Banc deal with - an organization like this that can put a computer in the hands of a family that otherwise wouldn’t be able to have it, I very much believe in the cause.”

Computer Banc emphasizes educational use, Godman says. Each system comes with a word processing program, educational games and a text-reader program with a library of more than 80 classic books.

Modems and Internet accessibility are available only in certain circumstances, Godman says.

“We discourage families from getting a modem until they have received training and are aware of what the risks are of using the Internet,” she says. “We are able to provide limited technical support after they receive a computer. What we find is that, by far, the large number of systems that come back in because something is wrong is because they’ve downloaded or gone online with it.”

The computers also fill social voids for some youngsters. Seven-year-old Joshua Buchanan of Springfield likes talking about his computer with classmates, says his mother, Cheryl Buchanan. And working with math and geography games helps Joshua sit still and focus in school.

Cheryl and her daughter, 13-year-old Anie, store their writing on the computer, and Cheryl recently used the machine while she completed dental assistant training.

Cheryl said she had computers in the past, but the Computer Banc system is the first one that works well enough for the entire family to use. And while the Buchanans aren’t totally dependent on the computer, she says it has improved their quality of life.

“If we didn’t have it, we would live,” she says. “It’d be like having a pet - once that pet is gone, it would be like losing a part of us.”

How to Help

• Computer donations are accepted by appointment only at Computer Banc’s lab at 1023 E. Washington St. (behind Catholic Charities of Springfield). Call 528-9506 to schedule a drop-off. Donations of money and office supplies also are accepted.
• Donors should erase all personal information from the computer’s hard drive before donating the machine. A free disk-wiping program is available at www.computerbanc.org/makedonation.htm. If donors are unable to erase drives themselves, Computer Banc technicians can perform the procedure.

Computer Banc’s current donation needs include:

• Pentium III or newer computers in working order
• Eight-gigabyte and larger IDE hard drives
• Educational software compatible with Microsoft Windows 98
• Sound cards and modems compatible with Microsoft Windows 98
• Blank CD-Rs and cases
• Office and kitchen supplies

• All donations are tax-deductible. It is the donor’s responsibility to determine the fair market value for their records.
• This month, area Hardee’s restaurants are sponsoring a regional Disc for Dollars fundraising campaign. Donations made at participating Hardee’s locations will benefit Computer Banc.
• Computer Banc also seeks volunteers to perform a variety of tasks. Check www.computerbanc.org for scheduled orientation meetings. In addition, the charity aims to recruit new, experienced board and committee members to assist with administration and fundraising.

Daniel Pike can be reached at (217) 788-1532 or daniel.pike@sj-r.com.