Computer-recycling effort looks to grow

A nonprofit that recycles used Microsoft computers donated by businesses and resells them is looking to expand the program.

My Journey Home, a Reno-based organization that helps recently released prison inmates re-enter society, has won certification as Microsoft refurbisher, and it's begun accepting donations of used Microsoft products from businesses and educational institutions.

Dan Mancuso, a work-study student who is working on a master's degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, follows Microsoft procedures to clean data from the donated machines and load new software.

Once his work is complete, My Journey Home sells the computers for $100 or $150.

"We're working for our money," says Elaine Voigt, director of My Journey Home. "We're not asking for it."

The program now is gaining the support of veterans organizations.

Voigt noted that about 37 percent of inmates who are released from prisons are veterans. My Journey Home is working to win support from veterans in the community who are willing to purchase one of the refurbished Microsoft computers for use by a veteran who is re-entering society.

That effort got a major boost from Robert Primeaux, president of the Reno chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Primeaux has been promoting the donations effort on his radio program, "Sit Rep," which airs on radio station 99.1 FM Talk from 9-9:30 p.m. on Sundays.

That show has an audience of veterans across the country as it streams live at www.911talkfm.com.