The latest KCCDI meeting highlighted key organizations dedicated to providing refurbished devices and digital support, alongside updates on expanding digital literacy and access initiatives across Kansas City.
Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion – August 2025 Recap
The following is a recap summarizing presentations delivered to the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion on August 15, 2025. Speakers included Greg Smith, Account Manager, and Stacia Hardyway, Community Impact & Grants Manager with PCs for People; Leslie Scott covering for Tru-Kechia Smith, Executive Director with ArtsTech; and content from Carlos Salinas, Executive Director with ElectroMundo.
The Third Friday August 2025 meeting of the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion featured insightful presentations from leading device refurbishers: PCs for People, ArtsTech, and ElectroMundo. Attendees learned about their vital work in bridging the digital divide by providing affordable and free devices, combined with workforce readiness training and comprehensive digital support services for low-income communities.
Featured Presentation: PCs for People Greg Smith, Account Manager, and Stacia Hardyway, Community Impact & Grants Manager, presented about PCs for People, which collects donated devices, refurbishes them, and provides a donation certificate to the donor. All devices sold are updated to Windows 11, and they also accept printers. Their distribution mission is to provide low- and no-income individuals with devices to access resources.
They operate a retail store in the West Bottoms, offering devices to anyone participating in a government program or qualifying based on income (at or below 200% poverty level). Available devices include laptops, desktops, and internet hotspots through T-Mobile cell towers. PCs for People has been actively traveling to back-to-school events. PCs for People is located at 518 Santa Fe St, Kansas City, Mo., with donation hours from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Stacia Hardyway offered that she can write grants in partnership with other organizations. The organization has been rebuilding since last fall and is collaborating with KC Digital Drive to secure a consistent retail space at the LAMP Campus (1801 Linwood Blvd) starting in September (more details to come). Devices can also be purchased online at pcsforpeople.org, where pricing may differ from in-store due to upgrades and shipping costs. They can deliver directly to partners or clients’ homes and offer a one-year warranty, allowing returns for a new device free of charge. While not yet offering ongoing technical support, they plan to do so in the future.
Currently, they lack grant funding to provide free desktops to students, but devices are available for as low as $30. PCs for People is now fully staffed since their reopening and is catching up on refurbishing devices. They are actively updating their website and social media, and their marketing team is working on rolling out media and advertising in the next few months to increase community awareness. They are committed to being as transparent and communicative as possible.
For more information, you can contact Stacia Hardyway at shardyway@pcsforpeople.com or 816-200-0040 or Greg Smith at gsmith@pcsforpeople.com or 816-204-6023.
Featured Presentation: ArtsTech IT Lab ArtsTech was highlighted for its IT Lab, which combines hands-on tech training with community service. Their mission is where “digital equity meets workforce readiness.” Their process involves device donation, data wiping, hardware upgrades, software installation, and redistribution.
Also, ArtsTech also offers Help Desk Services where individuals can walk in or schedule appointments for device troubleshooting, hardware repair, software installation, and connectivity assistance. This service is free or low cost for qualifying community members. Their junior staff shadows and assists the individuals, and they’re able to gain customer service and troubleshooting skills.
They have an extensive program offering for their technology classes which includes: digital literacy, creative tech, advanced skills, and certification support. Digital literacy covers basic computer skills, internet safety, and other productivity tools. Creative Tech includes animation, 3-D printing, and audio production in their new podcast studio. Advanced skills and certifications include networking, cybersecurity basics, coding fundamentals, guidance for Google IT, CompTIA, and other hands-on and project-based learning.
In their Junior Staff Workforce Program, it creates a “pipeline from curiosity to career,” offering stipend-based training for youth 17-24. This allows them to step into roles in the IT lab, arts, event management, and administration. Through this program, participants go through career readiness workshops, resume building, interview prep and get support in pathways to internships, college programs, and jobs.
So far this year, ArtsTech has refurbished 320 devices, resolved 42 tickets from the help desk, and serves 25 youth annually. They have partnerships with Health Forward, DelaSalle, KCPD, Community Action Agency, to name a few. Also, PCs for People has previously collaborated with ArtsTech, working with students trained to refurbish devices, and Greg Smith recommends visiting ArtsTech for potential collaborations.
Featured Presentation: ElectroMundo Carlos Salinas started ElectroMundo 20 years ago as a for-profit entity before converting it to a nonprofit organization last year. Located in Kansas City, Kan., ElectroMundo refurbishes devices donated by the community. For more information, you can visit their website: https://www.electromundo.org/.
Announcements/Other Program Updates Related to Devices
- KC Digital Drive has received an ADOPT grant to distribute 575 devices for Kansas residents through the end of the year, collaborating with at least 5 partner organizations to distribute these devices. Read more here.
- The City of KCMO is revamping its digital literacy programs and device distributions and planning to roll out digital literacy classes at community centers. They aim to identify individuals needing devices and connect them with case managers, targeting 200 households, though this number is subject to change. The city is working through administrative processes to offer these services soon. With 5,000 employees, the city recycles 25% of its devices every five years, and PCs for People will accept these old devices free of charge. The City plans to reach out to nonprofit partners soon regarding these opportunities.
- Goodwill MOKAN receives devices and sells them on eBay (Shopgoodwill.com) to support their programs. Devices can be picked up in Blue Springs or shipped to your home.
- NPower offers Tech Fundamentals in Missouri, an entry-level IT training program. They are introducing a new sponsorship method for devices this fall. Their Community Helpdesk, based in St. Louis, takes calls from both St. Louis and Kansas City. You can call, email, or open a ticket online for the NPower Missouri Community Help Desk at https://www.npower.org/st-louis-help-desk/. NPower is currently starting its third KC cohort, which is instructor-led via Zoom.
- digiSTORY shared that their last equipment purchase was in 2017. They try to buy gaming devices because the media production requirements for speed and equipment are similar to video games. Keeping up with new software updates presents a challenge.
Announcements
- Per Scholas hosts a Computer Repair Event every first Monday of the month from 4-6 p.m. at the LAMP Campus, with the next date being Monday, September 8.
- Re.Use.Full will be hosting repair cafes where computer repair experts will be available. More information can be found at reusefull.org. UnDumpster days also provide opportunities for community members to donate their devices.
- Digital Inclusion Week is scheduled for October 6-10. KC Digital Drive encourages organizations to share any events they wish to host for promotion. Email Leslie Scott with any event details.
- “Get Help KC” event is planned for November, seeking vendors who provide digital navigation tasks to sign up for online services or short workshops. More details to come. Email Leslie Scott if you’re interested in being involved.
The August 15 meeting underscored the critical role of device refurbishment and strategic partnerships in expanding digital access and equity throughout the Kansas City metro. The collaborative efforts highlighted aim to empower individuals and communities through technology.
Want to get involved?
Visit digitalinclusionkc.org to learn more, sign up for updates, or watch past meetings.