Changing Lives

The SmartRiverside Digital Inclusion Program is proud to announce its 1000th Program Participant.  Mayor Ron Loveridge presented Frank Bailon with a brand new Dell computer system at the March 25, 2008 City Council Meeting.  "This is really an exceptional milestone," said Mayor Ron Loveridge, SmartRiverside's Chairman.  Frank said his new computer will help him succeed in school.  "I'm just happy to have the training and the computer," he told the council after receiving his new Dell. "All this will help me with my homework, so thank you mayor."  Read the article at PE.Com.

David Bauman / The Press-Enterprise

Project B.R.I.D.G.E.
(Building Resources for the Intervention and Deterrence of Gang Engagement)

Local businesses, government agencies, schools and residents donate used computers to Smart Riverside. Usable systems are refurbished by reformed gang members, who erase the hard drives and install Microsoft software.

For former gang member Michael Camou, 18, restoring the computers has been life changing.

"It turned my life around," he said. "It keeps me off the streets. It gives me purpose."

When Camou started working for Smart Riverside four months ago, he didn't know much about computers. Now the Riverside resident sees his newly acquired skill as paving the way for a full-time job in the technology industry. Camou said the job is rewarding because the computers he fixes are given to families such as his that couldn't otherwise afford one.

The Digital Inclusion Program and E-Waste Collection is located in the City of Riverside Water Quality Control Plant at 5950 Acorn Street, Riverside, CA 92504,  just east of  the cross streets of Jurupa and Van Buren.  Please contact us by phone at 951-351-6190 or by email at digitalinclusion@riversideca.gov.