Volunteer Power in Action: AppDirect Helps Refurbish Devices at Our West Oakland Warehouse
On October 23, 2026, our West Oakland warehouse had incredible hands-on energy. A dedicated team of 11 corporate volunteers from AppDirect joined us onsite to roll up their sleeves, test hardware, and help refurbish devices.
Their hard work directly prepares retired electronics for a second life—transforming unused tech into vital digital access for local Bay Area families, students, and community members.
Transforming Tech into Community Impact
Refurbishing hardware is at the heart of our mission to bridge the digital divide while keeping tons of electronic waste out of Bay Area landfills. The AppDirect team worked alongside our warehouse staff to:
Triage and Sort Incoming Devices: Sorting hardware, components, and accessories.
Refurbish and Repair: Cleaning, inspecting, and testing desktop and laptop systems to ensure top functionality.
Prep for Distribution: Preparing fully refreshed machines for deployment into our community programs.
Every computer cleaned, tested, and prepped brings an underconnected family one step closer to reliable technology.
Fuelling Digital Equity Across Our Community
Efforts in our West Oakland warehouse directly support all of Tech Exchange’s core services and community programs:
Free & Low-Cost Device Programs: Equipping students, low-income families, and community members with reliable laptops and desktops.
TecHub & Multilingual Support: Offering ongoing hardware repair, technical assistance, and digital support in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Mam).
Digital Literacy & Skills Training: Providing hands-on courses—such as our 8-hour Digital Literacy Training—to help community members navigate the digital world with confidence.
Serve2STEM Workforce Development: Creating hands-on STEM pathways and technical skill development for youth and local adults.
Without refurbished devices ready to go, these essential services couldn't thrive.
How You Can Help Fuel Our Mission
To keep these programs running, we rely on corporate partnerships and technology donations.
1. Donate Your Unused Hardware
Do you or your company have surplus laptops, desktops, or monitors sitting in storage? Your hardware drives our community initiatives. By donating retired tech, you divert electronic waste from landfills while providing local families with essential digital access.
Ready to donate? Contact our team at info@techexchange.org or community@techexchange.org to arrange a tech drop-off or corporate pickup.
2. Bring Your Team to the Warehouse
Looking for a meaningful corporate volunteer event like AppDirect's? Bring your team to our West Oakland warehouse for a hands-on service day! No advanced technical experience is necessary—our team will guide you through sorting, testing, and prepping hardware.
Schedule a corporate volunteer day: Reach out directly to volunteer@techexchange.org or community@techexchange.org.
