PC’s for People – Flagship Location Opens for Statewide Computer Refurbishing Network

PC’s for People – Flagship Location Opens for Statewide Computer Refurbishing Network

The statewide Connect Illinois Computer Equity Network reached a major milestone on April 9 with the grand opening of the PCs for People Metro East retail and distribution space. This facility will serve as a local retail storefront and digital literacy training space, a regional computer distribution hub, and a place to donate computers and equipment.

The Illinois Office of Broadband joined PCs for People and community leaders to celebrate the new center that will expand digital access by providing residents another avenue for obtaining affordable technology. Thanks to an Illinois Covid-19 Response Fund grant and additional philanthropic and nonprofit support, PCs for People — a national provider of refurbished technology to low-income families and nonprofit organizations — is contributing to the country’s first statewide network to help source, refurbish, and distribute computers and mobile hotspots for low-income families in need.

The grand opening of the Belleville, Illinois, location builds on dozens of distribution events hosted in Metro East and other Southern Illinois communities since last fall. To date, PCs for People has provided computers to over 2,000 households in the state. The Belleville event attracted the attention of local community leadership including Mayor Mark W. Eckert, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia), and State Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis).

PC’s for People partnered with the Leadership Council, the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis  in order to make this project happen.

The retail space will be open from 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday.