Used Computers to be Recovered by Latino-Led Initiative in Partnership with Artech in Northfield

Posted by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin on September 5, 2007

About 6 months ago, there was an attempt by a local Latino entrepreneur to start a project to collect, fix and distribute used computers to Latino families in Northfield (see blog entry on projects under consideration at that time). The project lost the leader and we put it on hold while a new leader emerged.

This summer I met with David P. who tends the counter at Servicios Latinos Menas in Northfield accross the street from the Just Foods Cooperative. David owns a computer repair and web design small business and was interested in the computer recovery project right away. As the school year gets going again, we arranged a meeting between David and Joe Pahr at Artech so that they could figure out the details of restoring the program.

David P. meets with Joe Pahr at Artech during the recent open house.

There are currently about 10 computers in the repair “waiting list” at Artech and David will be bringing some to his shop at Menas and will work some hours at Artech so that students there can get involved with the project as well.

As Artech grows, so does interest in the Latino community to send kids there.  So far three of us Latino families (to my knowledge) have enrolled kids and we really like their teaching sytem. This project is expected to generate more exposure of Artech within the local Latino community as families will be picking up the computers at the school, as pick-ups are arranged, so will tours of the school and other promotional activities.

Two new Latina students chat during Artech’s open house
I know that the Artech’s system and concept is very attractive to local Latino families, I have noticed increased interest once I explain that my 12 year old goes there.  I am sure this project will help in this process of integration.