"I really enjoy helping people with their English and helping them meet their personal and professional goals," said Danny Gingrich, who works as an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor at Alpha and Omega Community Center (AOCC), 708 Wabank Road, Lancaster.
In recent years, Gingrich's desire to help others has expanded from English tutoring to matching individuals with computers. Gingrich noted that he uses a lot of websites that offer free grammar lessons in his tutoring sessions, and he thought it would be helpful for his students to practice on their own at home. However, with most of his students being refugees with limited incomes, buying computers was not an option for them.
In 2017, Gingrich's acquaintance Stu Metzler, who is comfortable refurbishing computers, picked up 10 computers from a Philadelphia law firm that had upgraded their devices. Metzler upgraded the computers to Windows 10, and Gingrich matched them with his students.
"And that's how we got started," Gingrich said.
The new ministry of AOCC is called Computers for Refugees. Initially, the program benefited just individuals who received ESL tutoring services at AOCC. Then, Church World Service's Lancaster division began referring clients. Computers for Refugees has also assisted individuals recommended by Intermediate Unit 13's Refugee Center, Millersville University's Migrant Education Program, the Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon, and the International Healthcare Professionals Program in Lancaster. Gingrich also provided information about the initiative to a consortium of ESL programs in Lancaster County.
In the summer of 2018, Lancaster Mennonite School (LMS) donated 60 desktops, so Gingrich reached out to RiversEdge Ministry Center to store the computers. Metzler taught Gingrich how to upgrade the systems, and, along with other volunteers, the two men began the process of preparing the computers for their new owners. Additional computers and peripherals have been donated since then. In 2019, Computers for Refugees gave away 96 desktops, 130 laptops, five tablets, and 11 printers.
In January this year, 16 desktops, four laptops, and two printers found new homes. Several of the items went to Bethel AME Church, which is opening an after-school tutoring program. The Lenovo desktop computers, mice, and keyboards were donated by the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster, and the Lenovo monitors were passed on by a pharmaceutical company. "It was so special to give (Bethel AME) complete systems," Gingrich remarked.
Gingrich created a simple application for people who desire to receive a computer. Recipients have included Nepali and Somali refugees, as well as Cuban doctors whose credentials did not transfer to the United States, so they have been working in warehouses. "Some families have been here quite a while, but they still have basic needs," Gingrich said.
Past ESL students have been giving back through helping with updates, delivery, or even donations. "It's neat to see it come full circle," Gingrich commented.
Gingrich's dream for Computers for Refugees would be to have church youth groups or other organizations with computer-savvy members volunteer to train recipients in using their computers. "Welcoming refugees is an opportunity to build relationships," he said. "They're excited about the opportunities to learn, study, and get ahead."
Computers for Refugees welcomes donations of Windows 8 and newer desktops and laptops, flat-screen monitors, speakers, and USB mice and keyboards. Newer Apple products will also be accepted. Readers may email dgingrichesl@gmail.com to schedule a delivery or to volunteer.
Cash donations for the purchase of desktop WiFi adapters, laptop batteries, memory chips, and other supplies may be made by visiting http://alphayomega.us/. To learn more about Computers for Refugees, readers may visit http://alphayomega.us/computers-for-refugees/ and follow @AlphaOmegaCommunityCenter on Facebook.
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