Voices From The Field

Here are some recent examples of National Cristina Foundation partner organizations and schools that have benefited from donated computers and related technology.  We will share these stories regularly to highlight the hard work they engage in to provide training and support to people in need, and to encourage you to donate computers to enable us to continue the types of projects described here. 

Technology Helps Bring Kids the Power of Art.

Creative Heartwork Inc., is New Jersey's first and only creative arts therapy non- profit organization designed specifically for children who have experienced trauma, loss, illness and disabilities. They use the power of art to help heal children.  Their president, Karen Carbonello, explains how donated technology has enhanced their ability to help children.

From her letter:

As a six year old agency, we struggle to find ways to bring music, art, dance drama, and culinary art therapy to children in such challenging circumstances for a reasonable fee. 

In our earliest years, the Cristina Foundation literally provided the foundation upon which our agency began to grow. We benefited by receiving our very first office printers, scanner and copier from the Foundation and have recently begun to establish a children's media center which will allow the children to manipulate their photography and utilize graphic design to visually tell their stories of healing when words are too scary to express them. 

The computers are also critically important tools to help disabled children increase their capacities for wellness and independence. A specific example of the children's use of the computers is to have them store their writings of poetry and short stories in a secure place where they know their pain can be expressed without worrying about the reactions or criticisms of others. As their therapy continues, they begin to selectively share them with each other in small groups and ultimately create a communal story book that documents their journey. 

Children even as young as 5 years of age have found ways of expressing themselves utilizing technology for their art work to create picture books. We are forever grateful to the donors and the Foundation for giving us the tools and opportunity to help these children. We couldn't do it without you!

 

Donated Computers Aid Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury

The International Center for the Disabled was founded in New York in 1917 as the first comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation center in the United States. Over the past 86 years, the agency has served more than a quarter of a million individuals with every type of disability and from all walks of life. They have been a National Cristina Foundation partner for more than a decade.  A recent letter shares both the utility of a donated computer --and the power it can have to transform people's lives.

 

They wrote:

The International Center for the Disabled (ICD) has received numerous equipment donations from the National Cristina Foundation. One very exciting project that benefited from a recent donation is our Center for Brain Injury Rehabilitation, which provides comprehensive treatment to individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI- whether from stroke, motor vehicle accident, fall, brain tumor, or other cause- affects millions of people each year in the United States alone. Even the mildest forms of TBI can result in life-altering impairments, including loss of cognitive functioning, loss of memory, difficulties with speech and hearing, mobility issues, and others. 

Last year, with the help of computers donated by NCF, we introduced a special computer lab component to the program. For most of us, computer usage has become a part of our daily routines that requires minimal thought. But for people with brain injuries, even basic computer tasks (turning the machine on, logging in and out, maneuvering a mouse or typing with a keyboard) can present daunting cognitive challenges. 

Studies strongly indicate that using computers in a group setting like our lab has an important “normalizing” effect for people with brain injuries: they are able to build their communication skills while working with one another, and their self-esteem and self-efficacy also thrive. 

One recent success story concerns Philip, who had suffered a stroke that caused partial paralysis of his left side, as well as significant cognitive impairments. In the years following Philip’s stroke, he battled depression, becoming increasingly socially isolated, and eventually completely estranged from his family and friends. 

When he came to ICD, he was extremely depressed and pessimistic about his future. He was particularly skeptical about his ability to use a computer and resisted attending the new computer lab. Eventually, with the support of the clinical team and his counselors, he agreed to try. To his great surprise and joy, he discovered that within a few weeks he had mastered the ability to operate the computer using only his right hand. Center staff was amazed at the dramatic change in Philip’s attitude and mood. For the first time, he expressed satisfaction and pleasure in his achievements, and his outlook brightened significantly. 

Staff continued to work closely with Philip, offering their encouragement. Eventually, he was persuaded to try using his left hand to operate the computer. Client and staff alike were delighted that he was able to control the hand enough to manipulate the keys while typing. Philip’s depression has decreased significantly since this accomplishment and he now attends the lab regularly. Philip has also used the Internet to reconnect with loved ones, including a relative in Argentina who invited him to visit. Impressively, Philip was able to make the international trip unaccompanied, and with limited assistance. Philip’s progress is truly an inspiration to his fellow clients as well as to our staff.

 

Donated Computers Lead to Special Job Skills

Asian Rehabilitation Services (ARS) is a non-profit community based agency in Los Angeles.  Since 1972, they have assisted adults with disabilities to overcome personal, environmental and societal barriers to increase their employability and daily living skills.  They have been a National Cristina Foundation partner organization for more than 5 years.

They wrote that:

Asian Rehabilitation Service, Inc. (ARS) is one of many non-profit organizations fortunate to benefit from donations of electronic equipment from the National Cristina Foundation. Our agency has received personal computers, photocopiers, and other technological equipment which has increased the organization’s ability to assist approximately one hundred adults with severe to moderate developmental disabilities who come to our center each day for job skills training and support services. 

Due to their cognitive impairments, exceptional effort is required to train most individuals with this type of disability to work efficiently with modern communications technology. Yet, with the help of the National Cristina Foundation some of these individuals are successfully learning skills in an industry that continues grow. 

An example is Euclepio who in his late teens was referred to ARS for employment services, eight years ago. His developmental disability hinders his ability to learn new information as well as impedes his ability to obtain and retain competitive employment. After spending months in our centers packaging and assembly training program staff observed his interest and exceptional aptitude for rapidly building boxes, packing, taping, shrink-wrapping and banding. He seemed to have a natural way with hand held tools. 

Wanting to build upon his strengths and increase his independence, Euclepio was transitioned into a supported employment group of four persons working as a member of our custodial team earning minimum wage with benefits where he continued to flourish. 

ARS began to develop its information technology (IT) unit and saw an opportunity to develop another training program. Several staff members immediately recommended Euclepio as a potential trainee. Using the equipment obtained through the National Cristina Foundation, Euclepio has learned how to install computer software, run virus checks, install hardware and hard drives, rebuild computers, and run cabling as well as becoming a tremendous asset to our IT unit. 

As a direct result of the partnership between ARS and the National Christina Foundation, ARS was able to provide on-the-job training. Starting last year, Euclepio transitioned from an individual receiving employment services to an ARS employee as an Information Technology Assistant. He continues to receive technological training and mentorship from his IT Manager and is learning how to model appropriate communications practices and behavioral skills that will continue to help him advance in his career. 

Other individuals, like Euclepio, with various types of disabilities (epilepsy, mental retardation, autism and cerebral palsy) who receive services at ARS are benefiting from the generosity of the National Cristina Foundation’s computer donors. Some are learning how to start programs and interact with keyboards for the first time, while more advanced users are learning office work skills including data entry, photocopying and sending fax messages. 

On behalf of the ARS Board of Directors, Executive Management Team, Staff, the individuals we serve and their families we are extremely appreciative of the role that National Cristina Foundation has played in helping us achieve our mission assisting persons with severe disabilities to achieve their highest potential for self-sufficiency, independent living and community inclusion. National Cristina Foundation, WE LOVE YOU! 

Sincerely, 
Ronald dela Cruz 
Information Technology Manager 
Asian Rehabilitation Service, Inc.

 

BBC Computers - Michelle's Success Story

BBC Computer is a non-profit organization in Oswego, New York that provides donated computers to needy families and individuals.  Since 2004 they have donated over 400 computers.  Here's a letter about a recent recipient...

They wrote:

Today we gave a computer donated through the National Cristina Foundation to a very needy family. Michelle has recently moved to the area with her husband and child. She needed to get away from negative influences after finishing a treatment program. Michelle is going back to school to become a nursing assistant so she needed a computer to do her homework. 

Unfortunately for her, she rented a laptop for $261 a month before she heard about our program. That takes a good portion of her SSI check each month. On top of that, Michelle was having a lot of difficulty getting internet access because she doesn't have a bank account or a credit card. 

In desperation, she began calling every computer place she could find in the phone book and finally found our program. On the phone she said, "I don't know what to do and I just can't cry any more." 

We invited Michelle to come in to the shop. By the time she left, she had a donated computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cables. Plus, she had internet access that she could use for school. Now she can return the rented laptop and use that money to help her family. 

We wish her and her family well. 
Paul Walker 
BBC Computer

 

Alabama Seniors Travel the Information Highway

Several years ago, a senior facility in Mobile, Alabama (the AHEPA 310V Senior Apartments) expressed an interest in being able to provide computers for their residents.  Their recent newsletter tells us a few of the ways in which technology has impacted their lives.

From their newsletter:

Residents of AHEPA 310V Senior Apartments are now able to travel the information super highway. 

Through a partnership with the National Cristina Foundation, the property located in west Mobile, has added a new computer technology center. The center has four top of the line computers loaded with exciting software and they have full access to the internet. 

Local volunteers from the University of Mobile come out to help the residents feel comfortable with their new adventure. Many residents are excited about being able to send e-mails to their family and friends. This has been a big plus because this is all offered as a free service to the residents. 

Resident June Brown found her sister, whom she hadn’t talked to in over fifty years by searching the internet! Mrs. Brown had no experience with computers but became very adventurous after taking the introductory computer class offered in the technology center. Before long she had located her sister in Montana. Mrs. Brown is ecstatic and looks forward to keeping in touch with her sister (and other family members) via email. 

Residents also use the technology center to keep up with today’s news via the internet, or create greeting cards and flyers. Every time the residents log on, they have a feeling of accomplishment, because many thought they would never use a computer. 

On any given day, June Brown and other residents can be found enjoying themselves as they travel the information super highway.