Since its inception in 2021, Grand Canyon University CityServe has distributed about $13 million of household goods and other necessities, impacting an estimated 50,000 families in Arizona.
Now the GCU-based outreach ministry, through an agreement with Arizona Students Refurbishing Used Technology (AZStRUT), has expanded its services to address a growing need – computers.
About 3,000 Chromebooks and other laptops donated to GCU CityServe are ready for refurbishing before they are sent to nonprofit organizations and families who could use them.
“We realize there's a need that goes beyond (household goods) in technology and transportation," GCU CityServe Director Nathan Cooper said. “This technology piece is such a huge piece for our families because it allows them to utilize a computer, maybe for distance learning, or for building a resume, or just for setting up an email account to receive emails after applying for a job.
“There are so many avenues this gives a family in terms of looking for resources that they might need.”
The initiative has even helped families outside of the United States. About 20 laptops were sent to an orphanage in Mexico to students who work for a church affiliated with GCU that runs a mission trip, Cooper said.
“There’s limitless potential for this to kind of really keep taking off and keep kind of pushing them out to families in need,” Cooper said. “Once again, it's not the lack of the technology. It's just lack of hands to refurbish the technology and be able to refurbish them to a point where we're able to give them to families and individuals.”
And there are plenty of hands to wipe the data and recondition the computers.
College of Engineering and Technology students have gained valuable experience through the help of AZStRUT, which provided directions on how to overhaul the computers. Nearly 20 students have done so. CityServe also worked with Director of K12 Outreach Jennifer Mitchell on receiving laptops for the Learning Lounge.
The services done at CityServe showcase GCU's Christian worldview and embody the principles of love, compassion and service that Jesus taught.
Dr. Pam Rowland, associate dean, College of Engineering and Technology
The agreement with CityServe and Mesa, Arizona-based nonprofit AZStRUT began nearly two years ago. The nonprofit originally partnered with high school-aged students and Mesa Community College, said AZStRUT Executive Director Jared Bodine.
But nearly two years ago, AZStRUT wanted to form an agreement with a larger group in higher education. Bodine credited former executive director Tom Mehlert (now a strategic advisor) for helping form the partnership with CityServe.
For more than two decades, AZStRUT collected used computers from school districts that received new technology after five years. As it collected more computers, the room to store and refurbish them in a comfortable climate like CityServe’s warehouse became ideal.
“We’re happy with donating a number of devices to CityServe, and more students have gotten the benefits – not just the knowledge they get from refurbishing,” Bodine said.
Said Cooper: “Once the students do come back (from summer break), that's a huge volunteer force. So we're excited for them to come back and serve with us.”
This provides students with a way to give back or work with one of their hobbies or interests.
“To be able to work on (computers) and have that knowledge when they leave college, they’re hitting the ground running,” Cooper said.
Dr. Pam Rowland, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, said students who recondition the computers are sharpening their technical and teamworking skills through practical, hands-on experience. But more than that, they are also serving their community and boosting their sense of purpose.
"The services done at CityServe showcase GCU’s Christian worldview and embody the principles of love, compassion and service that Jesus taught," Rowland said.
Large volume is no issue to the volunteer workers and GCU students. Cooper estimates it takes no more than five minutes to revamp a computer, and they can refurbish around 100 computers with five students in a couple of hours.
That will come in handy. Although most computer requests are for a family or an organization seeking 20 or 30, CityServe and AZStRUT hope to accommodate a local church seeking to distribute nearly 700 Chromebooks this fall to students in a foster care program.
“It might be a barrier for the student or family if they're not able to buy that or afford that,” Cooper said. “But by us being able to provide it to the family completely free, it's a refurbished computer with a lot of life left on it.”
GCU Senior Writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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