Tech Pals Sustainability Statement
Tech Pals closes the digital device and brings seniors and everyone together with technology. First and foremost, we are a committed and engaged non-profit citizen that supports social investment projects which have become even more necessary during the pandemic.
Tech Pals believes a basic understanding of technology is a fundamental right, not a privilege. We strive to reduce social isolation and frustration and aim to make seniors and everyone more independent and help them to maintain their dignity and improve the quality of their life throughout the aging process.
For the past year we have sustained operations supported entirely by service for fee, individual donations, corporate donations and fundraising.
We have hosted presentations and workshops at the retirement communities. We can continue to do something similar, again on a fee basis, and offer it virtually to the retirement communities.
We also continue to host one on one sessions. We have Google Ad grants that perform well and help us get the word out to paid clients, as well as partnerships with other organizations. We receive referrals from the local computer repair stores, and Boulder Mac Repair. We have also received referrals from Elevations Credit Union where we bank. Every few months we land an article in a local paper which helps awareness of our program and allows us to reach and help more people.
As our organization is small, we have little overhead and we have money in the bank to cover administrative costs. We are also almost entirely volunteer driven and are resourceful when it comes to fundraising. As a 501(c)(3) non profit we are eligible for grants.
Tech Pals acquired 3D printers and materials to manufacture and donate 1 face shield to first responders for every 3 sold to the general public. We offered our technology training and troubleshooting free of charge throughout the last six months helping seniors connect loved ones virtually.
At Tech Pals, sustainability is the way we manage and operate our business to best serve our clients, care for the environment, and drive long-term prosperity. Sustainability is a business method that ensures safety, efficiency and responsibility in a manner that protects communities and the environment now and in the future.
According to The International Sustainability Council’s Principles of Sustainability, some of the basic principles of sustainability are as follows:
- Interdependence, participation, providing information, and improving science.
- Provide intergenerational equity and durability.
- Maintain and, if possible, enhance the quality of society through community building.
- Maintain and, if possible, enhance the quality of the environment.
- Maintain and, if possible, enhance the quality of human life.
Tech Pals provides valuable information on technology and how it’s used to enrich lives. We teach the five pillars of technology and keep seniors connected, safe, entertained, healthy, and informed. We provide intergenerational support and equity by closing the generational digital divide. By bringing people together with technology we enhance the community's social connectedness. In addition to the above social sustainability efforts Tech Pals believes and adheres to environmental sustainability as well. We buy and use “green” products, recycle and promote using on-line platforms (Zoom, Facetime, etc.) for meeting and training, to reduce/eliminate the need for the use of transportation (public or private). In the course of business we receive in-kind donations in the form of used electronic devices that we up-cycle and use for seniors in need of hardware.
Most significantly, we enhance the quality of human life through teaching everyone to embrace technology. As a responsible educational organization we strive to bring technology into the lives of seniors to improve their quality of life and help them feel less isolated. This has become especially important for this demographic during the pandemic. Our teaching focuses on technology that enriches lives by adding access to online books, movies, shopping, exercise and social interaction with an emphasis on maintaining safety and security. Many of our services are provided for free or at a low cost. Although we primarily aid seniors, our services are open to everyone.
Version 2.0 revised Oct. 2020
