Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Lifferth.
Dennis, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
This Haiku by Mariel Herbert is descriptive of what we hope to do: “The size of a seed packet, first library card. “
Isn’t that a terrific metaphor? Every child needs a library card to help plant the seeds of learning and opportunity.
And today, it takes more than a library card to gain access to the growing wealth of knowledge, health services, careers, and social connections. Every student needs a computer device to access the internet.
TechCharities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company that provides affordabe computers and access to the internet. Since 2013, we have been providing refurbished computers for households and students in need. When I retired a few years earlier I felt inclined to do something to keep me from drifting into old age with nothing to do.
For many years I worked in the welfare and humanitarian department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was impressive to see the wide range of support services offered by government, non-profit agencies, and individuals in our community. But the one area of support that seemed to be missing was the lack of affordable laptops.
So, the seed was planted. I talked to a friend of mine who was very experienced with computers and we started our non-profit Applied Technology Foundation dba <b>TechCharities.</b> A neighbor gave us rent-free access to a building and another neighbor gave us a small start-up grant.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting and running a non-profit is never a smooth road. One of my first visits to another community agency confirmed this. I met with Gerald Brown, director of the State of Utah Workforce Training Department, and asked for his advice. He said that very few newly established non-profit organizations have ever lasted more than three years. They usually quit because of donor fatigue or volunteer burnout.
We met with our board of directors and reviewed ways to develop and grow a sustainable organization. To help fund the program and avoid donor fatigue, we chose to charge the client a small administrative fee for the computer they receive. The fee would help cover the out-of-pocket expenses to refurbish the laptop. Plus, the fee would help the client feel that they have ownership because of their contribution. The fees are small. A desktop computer with Windows 11, a monitor, keyboard, and mouse is only $35. Laptops run for about $80. If a client cannot pay the small administrative fee we give them the device.
As it has turned out, the second problem of volunteer burnout has not been an issue. The crew we started with is still volunteering and the new volunteers continue to stay for a long time.
I believe there are two reasons why our volunteers enjoy the work. First of all, it takes a bit of creativity to fix and update a computer (especially the newer models), and our volunteers seem to like working together to solve a difficult challenge.
But the second reason for our volunteers staying over the years is perhaps the most important. It is from the clients. It is the joy that comes from watching a client hold the laptop, like a small library card, with the hope of planting new seeds.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about TechCharities?
People and students who receive our computers almost always express thanks and gratitude for the new device and the hope it offers. But it is also true that many of our clients have had little experience in using a computer and often hesitate to even turn it on with confidence.
When local agencies send their clients to us for a computer, the clients are able to use their assigned mentors and case workers to help set up and use the device. When this isn’t the case, our volunteers help them with their questions.
The students at Ensign College have been especially helpful in providing training materials for our volunteers. For the past several years, Ensign students have prepared answers to questions that our clients ask, like: how do you change the password?
The answers to the many questions that are asked are summarized on our training website: www.ComputerCampus.org. Most of the questions are also linked to ChatGPT and Copilot with directions to help the clients learn to find their own answers through AI. This is one of our goals – to teach clients how to answer some of their own questions through the power of Ai.
Another goal or focus is to help students and others gain skills and confidence that lead to sustainable employment and personal growth.
Some of those we serve have overcome major obstacles. Chicago (both his name and where he is from) was homeless a few years ago living on the streets of Salt Lake City. One morning he woke up with the determination to break the cycle of homelessness. Several weeks ago when he visited our office to get a laptop for his son, he was proud to report on the good path that he is now on.
Every client we serve has a story. But many, unlike Chicago, lack a clear path forward.
Because of the kind generosity of others, we are able to not only provide affordable laptops, but we are also providing small start-up grants to students and community members in need with support for a path forward.
The grant may include a refurbished laptop, a financial award, or both. To qualify for the grant, we ask the student or individual to prepare a career plan. The first draft is created using ChatGPT, and mentors then offer support and encouragement.
It takes a lot of work to cultivate and plant the seeds of a productive career and maybe this approach will help. A summary of our start-up grant program is found at: www.TechEffect.org.
In summary, our purpose is to help families and students achieve their goals by providing affordable computers and access to the internet. We give thanks for the generous donations of devices, money, and time from businesses and community members making this all possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TechCharities.org
- Linkedin: Dennis R. Lifferth – Applied Technology Foundation DBA TechCharities
- Other: www.ComputerCampus.org
