Hendricks Foundation | Harper Woods, MI
The Team: The Hendricks Foundation, a nonprofit organization operating out of Harper Woods, Michigan, and Boston, Massachusetts, fights climate change and bridges the digital divide by upcycling e-waste for distribution to underserved communities. E-waste, such as laptops and tablets, are donated to the foundation, data is wiped, electronics are repaired/updated, and then provided to students in need — keeping electronics out of landfills and empowering students who were previously left behind and isolated in a digitally connected world. Additionally, the foundation offers computer repair and programming training to help students maintain and extend the usability of electronics. Since the foundation's inception in 2022, the program has impacted 77 students and recycled over 3,000 lbs of e-waste in Detroit, Boston, and Jamaica.
NextCycle Michigan Project: The foundation is seeking to expand its e-waste upcycling program and computer repair and programming classes to more students in Wayne County. During the NextCycle Michigan program, this team will work with coaches to identify sites for collecting e-waste and host classes, as well as connect with additional project partners. This project will divert materials from landfills, create jobs, and improve equitable access to tech and workplace development.
Additional Information:
Website: www.hendricks-foundation.org
Article: Dean Hendricks bridges digital divide for Detroit students in under-resourced communities (YR Media, August 2023)