Friday, April 29, 2005

 

Free Computers

The Virtual Scavenger Project

In 1997, John Crooks created a safe haven where previously unwanted computers could find a home. The Virtual Scavengers Project donates a computer to volunteers who come in and work in their warehouse for four consecutive Saturdays (they provide lunch for the five-hour shift). They also sell used computers starting at $25, and have a training program for those who are looking to improve their computer skills (for some training services they charge a small fee). They train about 100 unemployed and low-income men and women in Indianapolis every year. The Project has two principal goals: to reuse as much as possible, and to keep anything from a landfill. Their staff is entirely volunteered and, since 1997, they have refurbished and redistributed about 10,000 computers, as well as trained about 300 workers, 30 of whom now have jobs in the field of technology.

The Virtual Scavenger Project has partnerships with both Training, Inc., which helps to train unemployed or under-employed workers with job skills they need; and Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation, which provides veterans with skills to re-enter the workforce.

The Project mainly works with computers, but will take other electronics to keep them out of landfills. Drop-offs will be accepted for free; due to the fluctuating number of volunteers at any given time, VSP charges for pick-ups, depending on the load’s size. If they cannot refurbish the equipment, VSP will take it apart and recycle as much as possible. The rest of the material goes to Geeks “R” Us, a program for volunteers and students to build anything from jewelry to robots with the remains. If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the Virtual Scavenger Project, located at 754 N. Sherman Drive, call 317-917-9111, or e-mail vscav@indyweb.net.



The Virtual Scavenger Project

In 1997, John Crooks created a haven where previously unwanted computers could find a home. The Project donates a computer to volunteers who come in and work in their warehouse for four consecutive Saturdays (they provide lunch for the five hour shift}. They also sell used computers staffing at $25, and have a training program for those looking to improve their computer skills (for some training services they charge a small fee).

They train about 100 unemployed and low-income men and women every year. The Project has two principal goals: to reuse as much as possible, and to keep anything from a landfill. Their staff is entirely volunteered and since 1997, they have refurbished and redistributed about 10,000 computers, as well as trained about 300. The Virtual Scavenger Project has partnerships with both Training, Inc., which helps to employed workers with job skills they need; and Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation, which provides veterans with skills.

The Project mainly works with computers, but will take other electronics. If you would like to volunteer or learn more:

The Scavenger Project, located at 754 N. Sherman Drive, or call 317-917-9111; or e-mail vscav@indyweb.net.








Free Computers for the Disabled in Indianapolis Posted by Hello

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

 

NAMI News Alert

House to Consider Association Health Plan Legislation; Proposal Would Weaken State Mental Illness Insurance Parity Laws

April 25, 2005

Later this week the U.S. House of Representatives will consider legislation to vastly expand multi-employer Association Health Plans (AHPs) and undermine existing state laws that require health plans to cover treatment for mental illness on the same terms and conditions as all other illnesses -- commonly referred to as parity. This proposal (HR 525) would significantly expand the scope of a federal law (known as ERISA), that exempts self-insured employer health plans from state regulation. By expanding ERISA, HR 525 would encourage employers that currently offer health plans for their workers (and their families) to switch away from coverage that meets a parity standard, i.e. plans that cover mental illnesses the same as all other illnesses.

The AHPs envisioned by HR 525 would be exempt from all state insurance laws, including: state parity laws, minimum coverage standards for mental illness treatment and other consumer protections. The supporters of AHPs assert that HR 525 would help make employer coverage more affordable and ease the growth among the uninsured. However, several recent studies have found that AHPs are not effective in reaching uninsured workers and their families and are more likely to fail as a result of insolvency.

Action Requested

NAMI advocates are strongly encouraged to contact their House member to urge them to oppose HR 525. Remind your House member that this well-intentioned legislation would have enormous negative consequences for workers and their families. In NAMI's view, HR 525 would:

severely undermine the effectiveness of the 34 state mental illness insurance parity laws,
fail to address the problem of the uninsured -- studies demonstrate that most employers that would switch to AHP coverage already provide coverage on their own, and
place workers and their families at risk of losing coverage -- studies show that AHPs have a long history of plan failures and insolvency (AHPs would not have to meet current solvency and reserve standards enforced by state insurance commissioners).
Click on the following link to access a sample letter on this issue and a list of your representatives to contact now, click here.

All House members can be reached by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or online through www.congress.org.




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NAMI E-News Alerts are electronic newsletters provided free of charge as a public service. With more than 200,000 members and 1,200 state and local affiliates, NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. Contributions to support our work can be made online at www.nami.org/donate.

If you do not wish to receive further E-News Alerts, please click here, sign in and uncheck the box next to Enews. Please do not reply to this email (it will go to an unattended mailbox.) If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please send an email to elise@nami.org.

NAMI ~ 2107 Wilson Blvd. ~ Suite 300 ~ Arlington, VA 22201

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

 

Back to work in the Asylum

I have been real busy the past month. I am getting use to the new pace of things and I hope to be posting more here on a regular basis soon.

I accepted a job at the state hospital in a position I first held 30 years ago. It is a humbling experience, but it is good for me. It helps me keep things in perspective. I am also working at a pharmacy delivering emergency meds. The courier job pays much better, but it has no benefits. I can make as much working with the meds in four hours as I can make working at the hospital a full shift at time and a half overtime pay. I am willing to make this sacrifice because I am a "75 pointer". My years of experience and my age adds up to 75 points. I have 75 points out of a 85 to qualify for retirement. My main goal though is going back to school to ultimately complete my doctorate. It has always been my destiny to do this. I need the flexible schedule. It is humbling, but it reminds me what is important in life and the value of the individual.

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