Princeton Area Alumni Association

PA3's Used Computer Collection Drive

to support TDI Connect

PA3 is collecting your used computers to support TDI Connect, who provides refurbished computers to students and adults in Trenton.   Their waitlist for computers in is the thousands!  They strip the old computers of all personal data and install a light-weight operating system that will allow the user to access the internet and perform many critical functions such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.  Without computers in their home, students and adults cannot learn and practice 21st century skills vital to success.   In addition, many afterschool programs need computers to provide literacy programs and other extra support to Trenton's children.  

PA3 is providing collection drop off locations at the homes of Noemi de la Puente (Lawrenceville, noemidlp@yahoo.com) and Kristin Epstein (West Windsor, jandkepstein@hotmail.com). In addition, TDI Connect has permanent drop off locations, found here.

Note: PA3 is also organizing volunteers for multiple events with TDI Connect during the month of January.  Please check out these opportunities here.

What kind of computers does TDI need?

We are asking for computer donations from you! Trenton Digital is looking for old Windows/PC that are no longer being used. All donated computer will be restored with a new operating system, called Ubuntu. We reformat the hard drive prior to refurbishing and distributing each computer. Computers are refurbished with Ubuntu and come with a word processor, spreadsheet program, presentation program (all compatible with the current Microsoft Office) and Firefox (web browser).

How old can my computer be?

Ubuntu works on most PC computers and laptops regardless of how “old” they may be. However, TDI prefers computers with at least a Core Duo Processor or equivalent. Typically this would be a computer not older than 10 years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeI8gREB7TQ/?taken-by=pace_princeton

TDI Connect: Refurbish computers

(No technical experience necessary!)

Mill One, Unit A110, 1 North Johnson Avenue, Hamilton Township NJ (near Grounds for Sculpture)

See text at bottom for the description of the volunteer opportunity!

***PA3 would like to offer ONE DRIVER for each of the time slots listed below.*** 

In addition to signing up on the WASE Calendar website (below), please email Elsie Sheidler (sheidler@Princeton.EDU) to indicate that you will drive and how many passengers you can take with you.   Elsie will let you know where to pick up your passengers. 

SIGN UP: Please use the 2018 Month of Service WASE calendar (link is external). - SEE NOTE BELOW - When logging into the WASE calendar, participants will need to use their NetID (Month of Service is open to Princeton University staff, faculty, students and alumni). If you are having trouble with the WASE calendar, please email Elsie Sheidler (sheidler@Princeton.EDU).

***NOTE: AN ALUMNI-SPECIFIC URL IS BEING CREATED FOR THE WASE CALENDAR.  IT WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY.***

PA3 VOLUNTEER EVENTS AT TDI CONNECT

NOTE: The time slots listed below include 30 minutes of driving time from and to Princeton University campus. 

If you are volunteering only and meeting the group at the TDI office, please plan to arive 30 min after the start time listed below.  For example, the actual time of the event on Tuesday, January 9, is 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. 

Tuesday, Jan 9: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Thursday, Jan 11: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Friday, Jan 12: 12:00 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, Jan 16: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Thursday, Jan 18: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Friday, Jan 19: 12:00 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, Jan 23: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Thursday Jan 25: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Friday, Jan 26: 12:00 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, Jan 30: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Thursday, Feb 1: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Friday, Feb 2: 12:00 – 4:00 pm

THE EVENT: Refurbish donated computers with TDI Connect (link is external) to support the Trenton school district’s computer-assisted reading program. Currently there are more than 250 second graders in the additional reading programs across 12 elementary schools in Trenton. The goal is to have every second-grade student receive a computer to take home to help them in getting their reading skills up to speed.  There is a strong correlation with reading ability of 3rd grade students with criminal activity.  So, boosting the reading programs of 2nd graders in Trenton is the focus of this event.

TDI Connect is a local nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers and laptops and distributes the computers to local nonprofits, many of them schools. Volunteers are provided a 15-20 minute training which will provide them with the skills and knowledge to load software on to each computer. No technical experience necessary.

RELATED OPPORTUNITY:  PA3 is collecting used computers to donate to TDI.  Please see more information here.

Princeton University Month of Service

January 2018

The Pace Center for Civic Engagement invites Princeton University staff, faculty, students and alumni to come together for Month of Service 2018. Month of Service is designed to create space for all members of the Princeton University community to celebrate and showcase the many ways we work with communities to make a meaningful and positive impact. 

From January 2, 2018 through February 2, 2018, staff, faculty, students and alumni can serve in the community, build skills, knowledge and understanding, and reflect together about the impact of service and civic engagement. 

Learn more about the Month of Service on the Pace website, here

As part of the activities, PA3 will be organizing a used computer collection drive to support TDI Connect, which provides refurbished computers to students and adults in Trenton. See the community service tab on our website, linked here, for dropoff locations and to learn more about the drive and how you can get involved. PA3 is also organizing volunteers for multiple events with TDI Connect all month. Learn more about those here.  

The WACE calendar will allow alumni to schedule volunteer time. The alumni access is now up and running. Here is how to access it: 

1. Alumni should log into WASE using the following URL: https://wase.princeton.edu/alumni/views/pages/login.page.php
2. Once on the home screen they should click “LOGIN” (they should not login as a guest)
3, Clicking LOGIN should take them to the TigerNet CAS, where they should log in using their credentials.
4. Once logged in, they should search for “Month of Service 2018”
5. View the calendar and make appointments using the same instructions as other community members
    Click on “>” to the left of a given date to view service opportunities on that day
    Click on “+” to schedule appointment to participate in given activity

See some of the service experiences, workshops, or reflection opportunities below.

If you have trouble signing up for any of the opportunities or cannot access the WASE calendar, please email Elsie Sheidler of the PACE Center.  sheidler@Princeton.EDU

Some of the groups that are being supported by Princeton's Month of Service 2018 include:

Community House (link is external)

Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County and Greater Trenton-Princeton (link is external)

HomeFront (link is external)

Mercer Street Friends (link is external)

Princeton Nursery School (link is external)

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (link is external)

Trenton Digital Initiative (link is external) - In addition, PA3 has organized a computer collection drive and volunteer opportunities for TDI.  Please check out the PA3 opportunities. 

***PA3 encourages support of these local groups year-round, as well!***

Join Alumni Corps' NJ P55 Fellows for discussion of social change AND for holiday cheer