Compudopt

I Volunteered there about 2 years ago and have watched them Progress and expand beautiful. This is a true testament that all it takes an idea and the motivation to make it a success .Definitely would recommend this to any Students and General Public who have some spare time.I learnt how to use Ubuntu and have grown to love Linux as an alternative to Windows.I learnt of the importance of Volunteering and helping others as a Fundamental Block of everyone's Life.

If you love Computers and would like to Give your Time,this is a great Place to start,Great Family and Support.

I have been volunteering with this nonprofit for quite some time now and it has been the best experience of my life. Technology is a daily part of everyone's lives and although it is sad to see how many children do not have access to a computer, it just makes being able to help them that much better. The companies and people donating their time and computers are nothing short of amazing.

I LOVE COMP-U-DOPT!
I started volunteering in June 2010. I have volunteered for several non-profit organizations over the years and I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that Comp-U-Dopt has the most patient and caring staff members and volunteers! It feels great to be a part of a team that shares the same goals and ambitions. I love the fact that Comp-U-Dopt not only helps children but also minimizes the electronic waste in Houston. I enjoy the helping the students with their computers and learning new things too. The kids have such energy and happiness to learn that it is contagious!

I started volunteering with Compudopt in September of 2010 looking for a means of gaining experience as a PC Tech. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and extremely patient. It has been so great to work along side people who are passionate about computers and helping others. I've only been able to take part in one adoption session, but seeing the excitement and wonder in the children's eyes, and knowing what kind of impact receiving a computer is going to have on their lives makes every donation, mile driven, and second of time spent on preparing their computers worthwhile.

I was not only a volunteer for a few days prior to my hire, but I was also the previous IT/Volunteer Coordinator and worked with both the staff and MANY volunteers within the organization.

What Comp-U-Dopt does is nothing short of amazing - the concept ALONE was what won me over to want to work with them and is (I think) the driving force to spur volunteers to donate their time and energy to the cause.

As I had told one of the board members during my interview, I love Comp-U-Dopt's "Green Friendly" attitude toward hardware as I personally, throughout the course of my 20+ year career in the industry, have ALWAYS advised computer owners to recycle their 'old' machines into working machines for children or needy families via personal donation, schools, or churches or, if the machine is not working, to pass it to myself or another technician for refurbishing via other 'broken' machines so that waste is minimized and the computer's lifespan is extended. Comp-U-Dopt takes this to the next level by developing trusted relationships with schools, churches, and local businesses to the extent where mass donations are almost a reflexive standard practice for the donors.

Their attention to detail, education of users, and embracing of the Open Source software solutions are also traits that I commend in Comp-U-Dopt. As a computer 'geek', I have found Linux to be very easy but for people with only Microsoft Windows exposure, it can be a bit daunting. During each and every adoption session that I attended, I watched these small children, thanks to Comp-U-Dopt's easy-to-understand curriculum, take to the OS as if born to it. The bulk of the handful of post donation calls that I fielded concerned with unfortunate hardware failure and not confusion about Linux.

"If I were to start a business, this is EXACTLY the business that I would start." Those were among my first words to the CIO in regards to Comp-U-Dopt and they still ring true to this day. John Osha and his staff have done wonders for both the environment and for che betterment of children's education, and I highly recommend them.

I have been a passionate supporter of charities that champion the causes of children for over 10 years. As a working parent of school aged children, I believe it really does take a village to raise a child and, to that end, dedicate as much time and financial support as I am able to organizations that serve to benefit the development and well-being of children.

As an individual contributor, selecting specific organizations to support has always been the most difficult part for me. My philosophy on charitable giving is very straightforward - donate to a cause you believe in and to an organization you trust will spend wisely and effectively. With so many reputable children's charities to choose from, and equally as many questionable organizations, I have found it difficult and time consuming to try and determine the good from the not so good. As a result, I typically choose to support large, well known organizations like The United Way and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The turning point for me came in 2010 when I was introduced to Comp-U-Dopt through a friend. While I continue to advocate the efforts of national, well known organizations, I have come to realize there are a number of smaller charities and projects that are doing an excellent job but need help to move them on to the next stage of their development. Comp-U-Dopt is a small, grass-roots program that has done a phenomenal job in making a positive impact in the communities of Houston, TX. I would encourage potential donors to really look at this organization - review the website, read the thank you notes written by children who have received a free computer and notice the growing number of community leaders and educators who have not hesitated to voice their opinion on the impact Comp-U-Dopt has made enriching the lives of children who need it most.

I have volunteered with Comp-U-Dopt for about a year now, and find it to be an excellent concept for positive community impact.

The children that receive the computers get to experience pride of ownership - the computer is their own with no strings attached. This has a powerful psychological effect which motivates them to use the computer and derive academic benefits. The computers come loaded with productivity applications as well as educational games which sharpen math, science and language skills in a fun and engaging way.

The strength of Comp-U-Dopt is the organization's impact on children during the formative elementary and junior high years. This boslters interest in learning and can positively change lives and create future opportunities.

As a volunteer, I have seen first hand the impact of getting today's technology into the hands of eager children. I have seen 50 fifth grade children be excited about working a new program on a computer that they new was their's to take home. Not one child asked to leave, was figgiting waiting to run out of the class room, or was chatting with a neighbor. They were focused, on task, and had huge smiles on their faces. I was at an adption session early in 2010 in which the 500th computer was given away, and just a few months later, I was at the sesion in which the 1000th computer was given away. This organization has ramped up amazingly fast and is now servicing more than 100 children a month. Words simply do not adequately state the impact this organization will have on the Houston's under-serv3ed children. They are truly making an impact - today.