Credibility Boost Strengthens Effort to Bridge Digital Divide and Reduce E-Waste

Most Americans use electronics throughout their day at home, school, and work, for shopping and banking, and, of course, for entertainment. This leads to an enormous amount of electronic waste — an estimated 7.2 million tons in the U.S. in 2022— of which Michigan’s share (using the U.S. figure of 47 pounds of e-waste generated per person) is approximately 240,000 tons. Called “e-waste” for short, the category includes computers, cell phones, printers, televisions, gaming devices, and in some cases, home appliances, fluorescent bulbs, and LED lamps. While the vast majority of e-waste could be reused or recycled, only 255 tons of electronics were recycled in 2020 in Michigan.

At the same time, many Americans do not have access to important digital resources. This gap in access is often called the “digital divide”. According to the most recent US Census American Community Survey, roughly 15% of households do not have a computer or have computers only in the form of smartphones. Further, according to a 2020 analysis conducted by the Education Trust-Midwest, Michigan’s poorest districts, urban districts and districts with more students of color, all indicated lower digital access rates compared to the wealthier, less diverse, and suburban districts in the state.

Laptop refurbishment training workshop at the 2024 Hendricks Foundation Tech Camp offered in cooperation with JOURNi and hosted by Ford REsource and Engagement Center in Detroit.

The Hendricks Foundation, founded in 2022 by Dean Hendricks, is growing a solution that addresses both waste and the enduring digital divide: refurbishing unwanted laptop computers for students needing internet access at home. But they go one better, teaching students to repair laptops themselves.

The organization, based in the Detroit area, collects donated computers, offers hands-on training and skill development in computer repair, and distributes essential technology to those in need. For example, their annual Twelve Days of Christmas campaign gives laptops to select eighth-grade students in the Detroit Public Schools (DPS). The Hendricks Foundation team reaches out to selected DPS principals, then each principal, in turn, selects students who are doing well academically but need computers. In previous years, the Hendricks Foundation was able to serve 12 students, but in 2025, 120 students will receive a laptop refurbished with a 512 GB hard drive, a wireless mouse, a durable laptop bag, and a thumb drive preloaded with open-source educational and technical resources to support student learning and growth.

The Hendricks Foundation’s tech education courses, offered at starter, plus, and master levels, are open to students in the seventh grade and above and do not require any prior tech experience.

“Beyond the devices, we aim to give students a level of independence around technology. People think it is hard to repair laptops, but when you know how, it stops being hard. It’s similar to knowing the basics of car care — changing a tire, filling the washer fluid, changing the oil — it changes your relationship with cars,” said Hendricks.

In 2024, the Hendricks Foundation took part in the NextCycle Michigan Accelerator. The team was seeking to improve their time management, identify funding pathways, and find a dedicated location in Wayne County with at least 2,000 square feet to store and process donated electronics and teach courses.

NextCycle Michigan coaches, especially Matt Naud and Yahang Zhang, supported the Hendricks team in connecting with decision-makers at several potential locations and in preparing for a Circular Economy Grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Additionally, the accelerator’s communications support led to improvements in its website.

What came as a surprise was the immediate boost in credibility the Hendricks Foundation saw.

Agios Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA, donated 371 laptops to the Hendricks Foundation.

“Just being accepted to the accelerator and having our company listed on the NextCycle Michigan website gave others confidence in us. We received $5,000 contributions from both the Rotary Club of Detroit and the Skillman Foundation,” explained Hendricks. “It may not sound like much, but for a then two-year-old, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, these contributions were game-changing.” 

Another core accelerator activity, developing and presenting a pitch for the program, contributed greatly to their credibility. The team came to better understand their value proposition and how to present their fundable needs. At their cohort’s showcase, the team's pitch won the $1,000 Community Impact Award sponsored by Speed-Tech Equipment. EGLE also provided $5,000 Harvest Grant awards to each of the teams that pitched at the showcase. The Hendricks Foundation team continues to evolve and use its pitch and the accompanying slide deck to engage with potential partners and funders.

As of July 2025, the Hendricks Foundation is still seeking a location. They now aim to raise $30,000 for a down payment to buy a building. In the meantime, they have been awarded a Circular Economy Grant to scale their operations and impact.

Hendricks Foundation’s Programs Director, Krissie Knight, posted on LinkedIn, “I am beyond grateful to share that EGLE has awarded the Hendricks Foundation $166,541 to purchase advanced equipment that will expand our ability to recycle electronic waste and provide invaluable training for students in electronic diagnostic and repair skills. This grant will not only help us make a significant environmental impact but also empower the next generation with practical, in-demand skills. Stay tuned — big things are coming!”

Big things, indeed. While their main service area is currently Wayne County, the Hendricks Foundation’s website proclaims their worldwide ambitions, with places all over the Earth — from Detroit to Abuja to Bangladesh.

And they are already making progress. In cooperation with the Together We Building program, the Hendricks Foundation has sponsored an annual back-to-school event in Portland Parish, Jamaica, giving laptops to students. The Hendricks Foundation will be sending laptops to Haiti in August 2025 and is in conversations with Rotary Club members in Sierra Leone about a 2026 project. Back in the U.S., starting in 2025, the Access 2 All platform will teach students in Boston, Mass., to repair laptops.

Learn more and connect with the Henricks Foundation at www.hendricks-foundation.org.