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News & Accomplishments

PCF Receives Phila. Dept of Commerce Grant

The Philadelphia Children's Foundation has received a $30,000 Grant from the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. The grant was part of the StartupPHL initiative, which uses public money to match investment in Philadelphia’s innovation ecosystem. PCF received the grant to fund two efforts: 1) our "Tech-Masters" (a.k.a. "IT Support Teams") program which creates and nurtures small IT Support teams inside schools to install and maintain our donated equipment, and 2) computer literacy teaching (to larger cohorts of students in [...]

October 6th, 2017|Categories: In the News, PCF News, Tech-Masters, Technology Classes|
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Health Partners Plans and PCF Provide 60 Laptops to Lab Charter

On Tuesday September 19, The Philadelphia Children's Foundation, Health Partners Plans, and the Health Partners Foundation presented The Laboratory Charter School with 60 refurbished Laptop Computers. The computers will be used by the teachers and their students. Established in 1997, 'Lab Charter' has three locations in Philadelphia: 2 in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia and another in Poplar (below Fishtown). Laboratory Charter School provides a progressive, multi-lingual, and culturally diverse educational environment. PCF's long time [...]

September 19th, 2017|Categories: Classroom Computers, Corporate Donation, Sponsors|Tags: |
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Lab Wiring at ET Steel

When we contacted Steel about updating our classroom computers at their school, we learned that they needed some help in their computer lab. The first two rows of Macs needed to be hardwired. SDP had been asked but as the beginning of the school year is crunchtime, no guarantees were made as to when they'd be able to do the work. Later that day, PCF purchased some cable 'channels' (to run wires on the floor) [...]

September 11th, 2017|Categories: Classroom Computers|Tags: |
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Five Below Back-to-School Drive

Five Below has been incredibly supportive of PCF by organizing two separate customer donation drives at various Philadelphia area locations. Altogether, these drives have amounted to several thousand dollars in toys and much needed supplies. Earlier this year, the Easter drive was a huge success which enabled several schools to create incentive programs aimed at improving behavior among students. Most recently, Justin Strycharz and regional manager Craig Ridgell once again organized a customer donation drive, this [...]

August 22nd, 2017|Categories: Corporate Donation, PCF News, Sponsors|Tags: , , , , , |
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Community Ctr for HIV Positive Youth in Southwest

Pastor Brawner, who runs the Haven Paniel church in North Philadelphia where we installed a 10-unit lab, also runs a support center for HIV positive youth in Southwest Philadelphia. The mission of Haven Youth Center is to provide educational, social, and recreational services to HIV positive youth to support healthy, age-appropriate development and transition into adulthood. Haven provides HIV positive youth with a recreational facility to decrease social isolation, improve self-concept/self-esteem, enhance communication skills, and [...]

July 26th, 2017|Categories: Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|
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Computer Lab at Haven Peniel Church

This publicly accessible computer lab at the Haven Paniel Methodist Church in North Philadelphia was referred to us by the Brewerytown Community Center (where we recently installed a lab). Pastor Brawner also runs a Youth Center in Southwest Philadelphia where we installed a 3-unit lab and a printer. Haven Peniel United Methodist Church has a rich 139 year history of serving economically disadvantaged people in Philadelphia in part by bringing needed resources to the community. [...]

July 26th, 2017|Categories: Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|
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2017 Equipment Donation by PMHCC

PMHCC (The Philadelphia Mental Health Care Corporation) has donated computer equipment to PCF in the past. Even though it had been a year and a half or so, all of us remembered how cold it was during the last pickup. It must have been traumatic because even though it was the middle of July, we all came better prepared: more people, more carts, a bigger truck, and razor blades to remove the asset tag stickers [...]

July 19th, 2017|Categories: Corporate Donation|
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Five Below Customer Donation Drive

Justin Strycharz (l) and Craig Ridgell In the early Spring, PCF received a call from Justin Strycharz at Five Below asking if we would like to participate in their annual Easter Drive. PCF would be the recipient of goods purchased and donated by Five Below customers during checkout at regional stores. We replied that we'd love to participate figuring we would receive a few boxes of goods that we would divvy up among [...]

July 14th, 2017|Categories: Corporate Donation, PCF News|Tags: , , , , , , , , |
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15-Unit Lab at a Brewerytown Community Center

PCF installed a 15-unit computer lab at the Brewerytown Sharswood NAC/CDC, located at 30th & Master Street in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia. The facility serves a community of over 8,000 of which 51% live below the government poverty level line; the rate of unemployment is higher than any other zip code (19121) in the city of Philadelphia; the school drop out rate is high with a high rate of recidivism in this service area. [...]

July 12th, 2017|Categories: Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|
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Laptops for the Village of the Arts & Humanities

PCF received a request from the Village for some laptop computers. When we learned that the laptops were needed for programming and web development courses being taught over the summer, we jumped at the opportunity. The Village is an amazing place and a great resource and PCF was delighted they were teaching computer courses over the summer. All in all 10 laptops (donated by the Radnor School district) were set up on the third floor [...]

July 6th, 2017|Categories: Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs, Technology Classes|Tags: |
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Donation by an Airport-Based Company

PCF received a generous equipment donation of about 120 CPU's and monitors from a company that wishes to remain anonymous. We are accustomed to receiving equipment donations in parking lots and loading docs at corporate parks, school grounds on the mainline, or downtown. But this was the first time we ventured out to the airport to pick up the goods curbside ! The logistics were a little tricky as you can't leave your car or [...]

June 29th, 2017|Categories: Corporate Donation|
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More Support from Wayne Elementary

The Radnor School District, which includes Wayne Elementary, has been incredibly supportive of PCF over the years. They have donated hundreds of laptops, thousands of books, some laptop carts and a variety of other equipment such as projectors, monitors, etc. Thanks to their generosity, hundreds of Philadelphia students are benefitting from better stocked libraries in their schools, laptop carts filled laptops, and equipment in their classrooms. Their laptops have also found their way into community [...]

June 27th, 2017|Categories: Corporate Donation|Tags: |
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Laptops for Refugee Family Students

Thanks to St. Peter's Church in Society Hill, and congregant Ms. Woods in particular (pictured above), PCF was able to offer assistance to a refugee family in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia. The family fled their native country of Congo and relocated to the United States with their four children, all of whom are serious students enrolled in various schools and programs. In the process we learned just how many agencies, support organizations, and volunteer [...]

June 11th, 2017|Categories: Take Home Computers|
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600 Hot Dogs Anyone?

Nothing marks the end of the school year like cooking 600 hot dogs in the summer heat at Emlen Elementary! Although somewhat outside of PCF's technology focused mission, we have helped Emlen with this fun event for the last three years. We love doing it and, besides offering assistance to the great staff at Emlen, it is a great way to say goodbye to the students we've worked with (and whom are off to middle [...]

June 9th, 2017|Categories: PCF News, Volunteering|Tags: , |
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10 More iPads to Jenks in Chestnut Hill

A King of Prussia based company, which prefers to stay anonymous, donated 10 additional iPads to PCF (they donated iPads int he past). Last year, many of the same firm's employees spent a day at the warehouse organizing, refurbishing computers, and sorting library books. PCF purchased the chargers and USB cables and wiped them so get them ready for use. After consulting with the regional school district coordinator, we chose to give these 10 units [...]

June 1st, 2017|Categories: Classroom Computers, Corporate Donation|Tags: |
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Radnor District Donation Benefits Houston

The Radnor School District has been incredibly supportive of PCF over the years donating hundreds of laptops and hundreds (thousands?) of books. Their donations have helped all the schools we work with and have made a real difference. Libraries at Emlen, Steel, Logan and Houston have all been supplemented by their donations. And all the schools we work with plus many of the take home laptop computers were donated by Radnor. On this most recent [...]

May 5th, 2017|Categories: Classroom Computers, Corporate Donation, Library Support|Tags: , |
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30+ Laser Printers to Teachers/Centers in Need

PCF has been busy distributing and installing Laser Printers to schools and community centers in need. In many schools, teachers only have access to the printer in their school's main office, which means they have to leave their classroom and walk several flights of stairs just to print a document. For the Community Centers, it allows their users to print their resumes, applications and other documents. PCF came into a large donation of 40 HP Laser [...]

April 18th, 2017|Categories: Classroom Computers, Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|Tags: , , , |
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Large Book Donation to Logan Elementary

PCF donated two palettes of books (and some furniture) to Logan Elementary. These books were donated by multiple sources including the Radnor School district, Wells Fargo and others. The books were sorted by PCF volunteers according to subject and reading level during the last two volunteering events at the warehouse. Logan had provided us with the subjects to use for our sorting. Students are always thrilled when called upon to help (and get out of [...]

April 3rd, 2017|Categories: Library Support|Tags: , |
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PhillyKids is Looking for Part-Time Worker/s

The Philadelphia Children's Foundation is looking to fill a part time position as soon as possible. Philadelphia Children’s Foundation Elementary School Technology Program Development and Instruction Position Description Background PCF is a non-profit organization of people who passionately believe that tomorrow’s leaders need computer skills today.  Many inner-city households have no or no working computer, and their children often go to schools in the same boat: many classrooms have few or no working computers to assist in [...]

March 24th, 2017|Categories: Classroom Computers, Library Support, PCF News, Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs, Take Home Computers, Technology Classes|
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Take Home Computer for Family In Bustleton

PCF donated and installed a computer for third grader Rayna in the Bustleton section of Philadelphia. Rayna is an honor student who needed a computer in order to be able to keep up with her classmates. most of whom have computers and internet access at home. Her school is relying more and more on students having access to a computer at home in order to do their homework (and submit it online). PCF helped the [...]

January 12th, 2017|Categories: Take Home Computers|
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Refurbishing Lessons at Houston

In our effort to make schools more self sufficient, we created our "IT Support Teams" program which teaches 4th and 5th graders how to do parts of the refurbishing and performing the updating of machines themselves. Last year, PCF spent a lot of time coming up with a process that makes this possible (thanks to DAO Technologies as described here). The intent is for these young students to do the bulk of the updating and [...]

January 8th, 2017|Categories: Classroom Computers, Tech-Masters, Technology Classes|Tags: |
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Pilot: Emlen 5th Graders Refurbish (& Install) Their Own Computers

PCF spent the day at Emlen Elementary in East Mt. Airy to launch a new way for us to support schools with classroom computers. PCF's "IT Support Team" program refurbishes and installs computers on-site with the help of the school's own students. These students learned a lot while PCF benefitted from their labor. And together we made 4 teachers very happy campers with computers in their classrooms. Earlier this year DAO Technologies donated a lot of their time and devised a great new [...]

December 17th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers, Tech-Masters, Technology Classes|Tags: |
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Mini Lab Installation in Kensington

Right next to Cramp Elementary school, whom we supplied with classroom computers in the past, is the Schmidt Recreation Center. The Center helps students after school with homework and other programs. When we contacted Cramp about updating their computers, they asked if PCF would be willing to help the Rec Center with computers. After reading their application, this was a no brainer ! In part, it read: Schmidt Playground is located next to Cramp School [...]

November 24th, 2016|Categories: Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|Tags: |
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Logan Computers Updated

PCF Recently updated all 50-some-odd computers at Logan Elementary. Logan was the first school we updated using PCF's new "imaging" method. Since we installed the computers at Logan last year, Adobe discontinued Flash for the version of Linux we had been using and Google replaced Chrome with another browser (Chromium). As a result, some websites used by students did not work anymore. In the past, it would have taken several volunteers about a week to [...]

November 24th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers|Tags: |
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PCF’s New State-of-the-Art Refurbishing Process

We could have used a few different titles for this post such as "How To Save Yourself 60+ Minutes Per Machine", or "Fast and Error-Free Refurbishing" or "How DAO Technologies Saved PCF !" among others. PCF has been incredibly fortunate to have received support from DAO Technologies this Fall. DAO devised a very practical, state-of-the-art way to refurbish computers or to update those already installed: Rather than configure each machine individually, we now create a [...]

November 24th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers, PCF News, Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs, Take Home Computers, Tech-Masters|
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Radnor Middle School Book Donation

The Radnor School District has been a great partner of PCF over time, supplying us with laptops, computers, carts, and books. Many Philadelphia schools have benefited from their generosity. When their librarian Catherine contacted us about another donation of books, it sounded like we'd be picking up a few boxes. When we got there, however, it looked like we would not be able to fit them all. As you can tell by the photos, it [...]

October 6th, 2016|Categories: Library Support, Sponsors|Tags: , |
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Support from FIS Global

Out of the blue, PCF received a letter and checks from FIS Global employees totaling nearly $700. As per the letter, the office was moving to another location and furniture and paintings were auctioned off to employees with the proceeds going to a good cause. We are grateful they chose PCF and we will make sure the money goes to good use (we are currently actively refurbishing computers for the new school year) !

September 20th, 2016|Categories: PCF News|
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Outdoor Classroom & Painting at Emlen

PCF was contacted by the Land Health Institute to assist with an outdoor classroom area and painting of the annex building at Emlen elementary. PCF has a long history with Emlen and LHI so we were thrilled to assist. On a very hot and steamy day in August, PCF's Jan Deruiter brought a car full of tools for volunteers, chainsaw, painting supplies, etc. and spent three days volunteering with various volunteers under the guidance of [...]

August 16th, 2016|Categories: PCF News|Tags: |
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PCF in the Chestnut Hill Local

A long article about PCF, written by Sue Ann Rybak, was published in The Chestnut Hill Local today. Sue accompanied PCF's Jan Deruiter at a recent 3D printing class at Emlen Elementary in East Mt. Airy. Thank you Sue for your in depth article and raising awareness of the urgent need in our public schools and the work PCF does for our public neighborhood schools. View the article on the Chestnut Hill Local website. If [...]

May 18th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers, PCF News, Technology Classes|Tags: |
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20-Unit Laptop Cart for Houston Elementary

Today, we put the finishing touches on a 20-unit laptop cart at Houston Elementary. The second grade teacher, Ms. Renfer, is getting assistance from the district's regional Technology Integration Specialist on how to best integrate technology into her curriculum. The Philadelphia Children's Foundation believes that the earlier students are exposed to technology, the better. So when an ambitious second grade teacher reached out, we were determined to try and help. The most important piece was [...]

May 17th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers|Tags: , |
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3D Classes at Emlen and Logan

After finishing up our 3D printing classes at Henry two weeks ago, we have started a new course at Emlen and expect to start another at Logan soon. Both these classes will run until the end of the school year. PCF owns an old 3d printer that was donated to us. We bring the printer to class with us so kids can see how it works. During the week following class, PCF touches up the [...]

May 9th, 2016|Categories: Technology Classes|Tags: , , |
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ABCya! Lowers Flash Requirements

ABCya! is one of the most popular educational games websites among students in the various schools we work with. It offers students of all ages/grades educational games to teach them math, reading, and so on while having fun. A few weeks ago, we learned that the company had raised its Flash requirements to the latest version offered by Adobe. But unfortunately, that latest version of Flash no longer works on older computers, including the ones [...]

May 6th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers, Take Home Computers|
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3D Printing Classes at CW Henry

PCF wrapped up the 3D printing course at Henry in West Mt. Airy last week. For the last few months, we have worked with their students on using web based 3D programs. The 3D printer is a novelty and sending students home with the plastic trinkets they created is a great motivator. In the process of creating the various objects, students learn computer skills that also apply to many other types of graphics programs such [...]

April 29th, 2016|Categories: Technology Classes|Tags: , |
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Classroom Computers for James Logan

We found out about Logan Elementary, located just NW of Mt. Airy, from the Principal at Emlen. After meeting with Logan's Principal and TTL, PCF decided to support them with our Classroom Computers program. Man, are we glad we did. In fact, we liked working with this school so much that we will be starting our 3D printing class at Logan in mid May. Like all other schools, Logan's needs are vast. But what made [...]

April 1st, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers|Tags: |
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Classroom Computers & Mini-Lab at W. Cramp

Thanks to our donors and volunteers, PCF was able to install 30 computers into various classrooms and the Family Resource Room at William Cramp Elementary. Prior to installing the computers, PCF  provided Cramp with 8 donated iPads. In addition to setting up mini labs in various classrooms, we also outfitted a room that is used by parents to access the internet, fill out applications, write resumes, and take GED classes. We were thrilled to have [...]

March 30th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers, Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|Tags: |
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School Front Office Technology

At PCF, we spend most of our time inside Philadelphia public school classrooms. Over the course of the last couple of years, we have spent countless hours inside roughly 150 classrooms in schools all over Philadelphia. While many rooms are OK, or even 'fine', quite often we experience: rooms without enough power to operate a vacuum cleaner (not that we offer cleaning services but you get the point) outlets that are so old that you [...]

March 29th, 2016|Categories: PCF News|
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Classroom Computers at E.T. Steel

PCF installed almost 50 computers into Steel classrooms in a mad rush before the start of PSSA tests (at which point no visitors would be allowed into the building, let alone classrooms). Earlier in the year, PCF supplied hundreds of coded books to Steel, located in Nicetown (East of Germantown). We need your help to continue offering these important programs. Please consider making a donation to support our work. Or contact us if [...]

March 28th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers|
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PCF Supports “The ITEM” With Laptops

Philadelphia is lucky to have a program that assists post high-school minorities and women in the field of technology.  The Item (which stands for "Inclusive Technology & Entrepreneurship Movement") has regular meet-up meetings where they discuss technology and get hands-on experience. At a recent meet-up, The Item got into programming and were looking for laptops for five of their their members. Another organization put them in touch with PCF. We gave five of their aspiring [...]

March 26th, 2016|Categories: PCF News, Take Home Computers|
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The Move Before The Storm

We have learned that it helps to move our equipment into staging rooms inside schools before we show up at a future date to install them. This way, we cut down on truck rental expenses plus we make the most efficient use of our volunteers' time during installation and it gives us a chance to get the lay of the land beforehand. We have also learned that for two people to move 130+ computers into [...]

March 17th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers|Tags: , , |
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Helping to Put Ex-Offenders to Work

PCF is proud to be working with PAR-Recycleworks whose mission is to responsibly recycle electronics and through this process, help pay for salaries and job skill development for formerly incarcerated men and women in order to support their productive re-entry back into society. Check out this recent Chestnut Hill Local news article (which also references PCF). Some of the equipment that is donated to PCF  does not work plus sometimes our machines simply stop working [...]

March 9th, 2016|Categories: PCF News, Sponsors|
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Houston Library Computers

PCF has had the fortune of working with Henry H. Houston Elementary school quite a bit in the past. They were our second Classroom Computers program installation plus we have helped them with iPads, the installation of a security system and, most recently, we outfitted their library with five computers. PCF encourages schools to set up our computers into areas that can be accessed by students and their families. Besides being a school resource, the [...]

February 18th, 2016|Categories: Library Support, Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|Tags: |
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Computers to AB Day in Mt. Airy

PCF Board member Greg Bermon and Jan Deruiter installed approximately 20 computers at A.B. Day Elementary School in East Mt. Airy. Greg took a vacation day from his work to assist Jan with the installation. Like many of the other schools, some classrooms posed some challenges (in terms of finding power and/or getting Ethernet to work) but in the end we prevailed. Getting everything set up requires some creativity. We often have to scrounge for [...]

February 17th, 2016|Categories: Classroom Computers|Tags: |
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Computer Pickup at Health Partners Plans

PCF has been truly fortunate with the support we've received, and continue to receive, from Health Partners Plans. They have supported us financially with generous annual donations plus most of the 2,000 machines PCF has received over the years have come from HPP network hospitals such as Aria Health, Einstein Medical Center, Hahnemann University Hospital, Temple and others. On a cold day in January, HPP supplied PCF with an additional 50 computers, monitors and supplies [...]

January 20th, 2016|Categories: Corporate Donation, PCF News, Sponsors|
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Book Delivery to ET Steel

Today we delivered 30-35 boxes of books to ET Steel School in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia. Most of the books were donated to PCF by the American Association of Law Libraries and the Radnor School District. But a couple of the boxes came from a caring individual who leaves her Wells Fargo account manager mostly sports-related books that she picks up at flea markets and yard sales! We were met at the school by Principal Mr. Jamal Dennis and a [...]

January 15th, 2016|Categories: Library Support|Tags: , |
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Financial Support from The Hibbert Group

PCF was thrilled to receive support from The Hibbert Group. We received a check for $250 from the company and a personal check for $250 from the CEO Timothy Moonan which will be used to support our Classroom Computers program. http://hibbertgroup.com/ We could not do our work without the financial support from corporations, organizations, and individuals. Please consider making a donation or plan to volunteer today!

December 1st, 2015|Categories: Sponsors|
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Radnor Township Schools Book Donation

Ithan Elementary donated 19 boxes filled with children's books to be distributed to Philadelphia public schools. Earlier this summer, the district donated a trove of laptops and overhead projectors that were wiped and refurbished over the summer and which will be distributed to schools this fall. We want to thank the Maureen, Joan, and Stephanie at the Radnor Township School District and Ithan Elementary for their support!

November 26th, 2015|Categories: Library Support, Sponsors|Tags: |
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Chikara Donates 80 Event Tickets to Public Schools

CHIKARA has generously donated 80 tickets for PCF to distribute to 4 public schools in the Northwest. The event looks like a lot of fun and PCF has chosen Emlen, Houston, Jenks, and Henry schools to choose how they wish to distribute the tickets to students and their families. Saturday, December 5th, 2015 Doors open at 6 pm; first match at 7:00 pm CHIKARA @ The 2300 Arena 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148  Google maps (the [...]

November 24th, 2015|Categories: Corporate Donation, PCF News|
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$1,000 Community Partner Grant from Wells Fargo

On Monday November 9, 2015, PCF received an unrestricted operating grant for $1,000 from Wells Fargo. The ceremony was held near King of Prussia and the photo above shows PCF's director Jan Deruiter accepting the award. The money will be used to purchase supplies for refurbishing computers as well as to cover operating expenses. PCF has been fortunate to have received annual support from Wells Fargo. This is our 7th such grant and we would like [...]

November 12th, 2015|Categories: PCF News, Sponsors|Tags: |
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PCF Receives Support from Univest Bank and Trust Co.

PCF is thrilled to receive support from Univest Bank and Trust Co. Last week, PCF picked up 25 powerful Dell computers that had been partially refurbished already (the drives were wiped clean and all are in working order). And before the weekend was over, we received an email that they would have even more computers for us next week! PCF supporters in the Northwest and South Philadelphia may be aware of Univest as they recently purchased Valley Green [...]

October 1st, 2015|Categories: Sponsors|Tags: , |
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Publicly Accessible Computers & Printers Inside Schools

One of the things we observed from installing computers into the homes of families was the absence of working printers. We learned that depending on the school, most students do not have a computer at home.* And amongst those that do, working printers are a rarity. We assume this to be true because printers can be difficult to connect and replacing toner can be expensive. But whatever the cause, the reality is that working printers at home are far and few between. [...]

September 27th, 2015|Categories: Publicly Accessible Mini-Labs|Tags: |
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