Cedar Rapids computer repair shop owner starts nonprofit to distribute computers to foster care graduates

CEDAR RAPIDS — Brandon Gordon started learning how to refurbish computers before he first went into foster care in elementary school.

“My mom said ‘If this part breaks in your computer again, you won’t have a computer anymore,’ ” said Gordon, owner of BG Tech Repair in Cedar Rapids. “And the part broke, so I tore it apart myself.”

Now 33, the passion for computer repair has stuck with him ever since. And now, 10 years into owning his repair shop, he has found a new way to give back to young adults who grew up like him.

When Gordon aged out of the foster care system and prepared to go to college, he was one of the more fortunate ones. After spending roughly half his childhood in foster care, the tech geek was gifted enough money to help purchase a computer for college.

Living off a $500 monthly stipend, he was able to get through college to earn his bachelor’s degree in business.

But navigating a new adult life with fewer resources than the average graduate presented unique challenges. Even today, the challenges remain for foster youth.

“As a foster kid, I was luckier than most kids. I had a wonderful foster family who pushed me to be strong and grow prior to exiting high school,” Gordon said. “But with the resources available to me at the time, it does feel like you’re being kicked out on your own. You don’t know if you’re going to succeed, but the odds are stacked against you.”

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When he turned 18, he received a binder from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Department — what is known as the Transition Information Packet (TIP) — with sections organizing common resources and steps to follow.

One resource, he remembered finding, had 10 laptops at a time to distribute to new high school graduates across the country.

Soon, he wants to reboot the experience for foster youth going to college, starting in skilled trades or simply adjusting to being an adult on their own.

“There’s a lot of barriers to going to school when you’re in foster care and don’t have parents helping you,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to help foster children get a leg up.”

How it works

Gordon hopes to add Refurb Hope as another resource to the TIP binder for those aging out of the foster care system.

The new nonprofit, founded in April, is gearing up to launch next fall with a goal of providing 100 laptops to its first class of students. Qualifying recipients include those aging out of foster care and other low-income graduates across the state of Iowa.

Over time, he hopes to grow the effort to help 200 students per year.

The operation refurbishes donated Windows PCs from individual and corporate donors that are seven years old or newer. With cash donations — 100 percent of which go directly to the nonprofit’s operations — Refurb Hope purchases parts to bring used computers up to speed using volunteers.

The nonprofit also will partner with businesses and organizations to offer them a new route for disposing of old computers.

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“Working in the corporate IT world, (I know) machines have an end of life date. After five years, companies will retire computers,” Gordon explained. “Instead of those being collected by (computer brokers) and being sold at a lower price to someone else, we’re looking to have companies donate those machines so we can refurbish them.”

Refurbishments can be as simple as replacing batteries, broken keyboards, or cracked screens.

A small number of computers will be reserved for students going into studies that require higher performance, such as graphic design.

Challenges for foster graduates

Last fiscal year, roughly 20 young adults aged out of the foster care system in Linn County. Foundation 2 Crisis Services serves roughly 100 through their Iowa Aftercare Services Network in Linn, Benton, Jones, Johnson and Iowa counties.

“Young people aging out of the foster care system face many challenges from deciding if they can go into postsecondary education while still finding and maintaining safe and affordable housing,” said Renae Koth, director of youth and family services at Foundation 2 Crisis Services. “It is a balancing act for any young person transitioning into adulthood, but many other factors can stack against young people aging out of the foster care system.”

Many don’t have money saved for housing deposits or cosigners on apartment leases. Getting a driver's license and transportation for work and school is another barrier.

Gordon, now 33, still remembers the anxiety of wondering whether he would find success, despite his drive to succeed.

“Some kids have scholarships and savings plans. But being in foster care on its own is difficult because you’re (sometimes) bounced around from home to home, and life is so stressful you don’t do as well,” he said. “So it’s harder to qualify for scholarships. You’re in survival mode as opposed to being able to grow up normally.”

Today, youth aging out of the system are assigned an Aftercare Advocate to help guide and support them until they’re 23. If eligible, they can also receive postsecondary education support with the Education Training Voucher, the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship and other options to increase their odds of success.

Graduates start working with social workers like school counselors, case workers and placement providers in their senior year of high school. In Eastern Iowa, the Fostering Futures in Education program also assists young adults with designated advocates as they pursue further education.

Soon, a computer will be one less thing to worry about — a gesture with an impact greater than the sum of its parts.

“Everyone in foster care … has a unique story that matters just as much as the last,” Gordon said. “To me, that’s always been the biggest thing.”

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.