Nonprofit computer business is a win-win

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To learn more about donations and the project’s mission and hours, the website is www.accessproject.us. The office phone number is 937-837-5481.

When truck driver Alan D. Russell began to lose his eyesight, he had to stop driving. He began tinkering with computers, and Access Project grew from his efforts. The nonprofit computer business teaches work skills to young people with special needs while servicing computers at low cost to the public.

“Mr. Russell started Access Project in 2008, and when he got really sick, I took over,” said Jody Murphy, who, like other staff, is a volunteer. “I got certified. We’re Microsoft Certified. Other companies have tried to buy us out for the certification, but we won’t sell. We’re licensed to do computers and system building, and that’s what we teach the kids.

“We go with their abilities — they might take computers apart, sort and organize parts, or build and repair units. When they’re ready, we or their schools help them find jobs where they want to work, but keep some here to teach others.”

Area schools bus selected students to the Trotwood worksite, located at 4805 Salem Ave. in Salem Plaza, until they’re able to get there on their own. At any given time, the program has about a dozen student workers.

“We pay the bills by building and repairing units,” says Murphy. “We’re not funded by anyone, and although we’re a 501c nonprofit educational program, we don’t write grants.”

Project Access Computer Store, which is open six days a week, with classes held in the mornings, relies heavily on donations — but of the computer parts variety, not money.

“We need all kinds of computers — laptops, desktops, mainframes and servers, plus computer parts,” says Murphy. They also use scanners, printers, keyboards and other peripherals they can clean up and sell.

The students do the cleanups, refurbish and sell computers. “Our computer health checks are just $30, and we’ll have your computer ready within 24 hours,” said Murphy.

Although students currently work only on PCs, Murphy’s studying Macintosh now, and will eventually service them.

Murphy maintains that students do a better job at a lower cost than most computer repair shops in the area, and that is the business’ primary source of income.

The other source is donations, which can be dropped off at the site, or, if there are large items or quantities, picked up by volunteers.