Gabe Middleton began his business with one goal: To ensure every person has access to technology so that they can be a productive student, job seeker, and citizen. His nonprofit organization Human-I-T connects low-income individuals to technology, internet and digital training. By refurbishing instead of recycling used technology, Gabe's team transforms e-waste into opportunities to promote digital inclusion and access for all. All proceeds from Human-I-T’s eBay for Charity store are used to directly support the organization's mission.
Human-I-T takes in unwanted and non-operational technology, refurbishes it, and then gives away computers, free of charge, to people in need—veterans, low-income families, and young moms. The nonprofit funds their work by selling some of the refurbished technology on eBay, which supports circular commerce and creates opportunity for all.
“Technology gets an opportunity to be repurposed and put into the hands of low-income families or someone else in need so it can be used again,” says Gabe. “That will shrink e-waste while helping society gain access to opportunities.”