BUMC donates 48 refurbished computers to seven local community and civic organizations

Boston University Medical Center

For Immediate Release – October 20, 2004

Contact: Ellen Berlin, 617-638-8491

ellen.berlin@bmc.org

Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) has donated 48 refurbished computers to seven local community and civic organizations. The organizations receiving the computers are: South End Neighborhood Health Center, South End Neighborhood Baseball, M.E.T.C.O., Roxbury Boys and Girls Club, Ebenezer Cape Verdean Community UNIDO, Community Worship Center, and Oasis Performing Arts.

“These computers are valuable to these nonprofits and the people they serve. Boston University Medical Center is pleased to partner with civic and community organizations who do the grassroots work day-in and day-out,” said Egobudike E. Ezedi, Jr., Director of External Affairs at BUMC.

“These computers add much needed capacity to our after school programs,” said Denise Gonsalves, Executive Director, Cape Verdean Community UNIDO. They will be used to teach computer skills to the children in our program. In addition, they will be an important component in the creation of our digital stories program, where the children will create stories and share them with the community.”

The South End Community Health Center is using five donated computers to incorporate a new software system that will maintain and improve patient visits. “With assistance from BUMC’s computer donation, we are able to upgrade our computer system which provides enormous benefits to our patients and staff including: more efficient patient scheduling and a streamlined registration process. This is a very generous donation from BUMC and the computers will be put to good use,” said Perry Arabia, Systems Administrator, South End Community Health Center.

The Roxbury Boys & Girls Club is using the donated computers in their Computer Clubhouse which is a part of the after school and summer programs. “Our members are learning high-end graphical applications including web design skills.  These computers are helping the students in our program, who are 6-to 18 years old, learn professional computer applications that are for the most part not taught in the schools.  These technology skills are important as youth pursue their own interests through the use of technology and to assist in their future professional growth,” said Murray Bass, Clubhouse Technology Director, Roxbury Boys & Girls Club.