"Mac a Difference"
GCM Computer Donations Benefit Pregnant Teens and Foster Kids
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| There is nothing which tugs at the heartstrings more than children who, for one reason or another, cannot be with their parents. In South Florida, many of those children are lovingly cared for through the good works of the Children's Home Society. Some have no parents, or have parents who cannot or will not keep them. Others have special needs, and require more than their parents or guardians can give. |
 The Children's Home Society finds a place for them all, but does so with constantly strained resources. Their list of needs is long, and on that list is computers. Most foster parents can't afford to provide their temporary children with such expensive tools, so they are at a disadvantage when compared to other kids. In group homes, the focus is on the necessities of life, and in many cases a computer is a luxury in comparison to other needs.
With the help of CBS 4's Neighbors 4 Neighbors program, which matches those in need with thosewho can meet that need, Gold Coast Mac and the Children's Home Society were able to work together to brighten the lives of children in two homes.
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Marie is a high school student who works hard nights and weekends at a neighborhood Pizza Hut. She's loved by her foster family, the Pritchetts, but even that love and Marie's part time job have not been enough to provide a computer for this hard working girl. That's been a problem for Marie, because she wants to go to college, something many foster children find hard to achieve. Good grades are important for getting the financial help she'll need, but without a computer at home, Marie was forced to drive to her caseworker's office, between school and her job, to write term papers and reports. She was in desperate need of a computer to give her the edge she'll need, and Gold Coast Mac was proud to help.
Jan Barkan and Dave Game unload Marie's computer
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| Starting with a donated Quadra 610, an older but still serviceable model which included a monitor and a printer, we added a donated modem, a brand new UMAX scanner donated by a member, and a copy of Microsoft Office donated by member Steve Krischer.
After checking out the system on Saturday, February 26th, GC Mac President Rose Lynn, Vice President Dave Game, and board member Jan Barkan delivered the system to the Pritchett home in North Miami and set it up in Marie's bedroom. She was excited because she had used a  Macintosh in Middle School, and had also used Microsoft Word at school. She admitted it was tough having to borrow a computer to do her work, and said that she had never expected she would be able to have one of her own.
Her foster mom was almost glowing with excitement, happy for Marie and what the computer would mean for her future.
Jan Barkan connects the monitor to the Quadra 610
Marie wants to go to FSU and would like to be a pediatrician. When she reaches that goal, maybe she'll be able to look back at the day she was given a recycled Macintosh as the day she was given a small boost toward fulfilling her dream.
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Jan, Marie, her foster mother, and Dave all smile when everything works!
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| Dreams are something many pregnant teenagers can't find time to enjoy. Being pregnant and 14 is tough enough; it's even worse when, for one reason or another, you can't count on the love and support of your parents at a troubling and confusing time.
Gold Coast Mac wanted to help some of those girls begin to dream again, and that's why we agreed with the second choice of the Children's Home Society, to place a computer in one of their group homes for pregnant teens.
Vice President Dave Game broke the good news to caseworker Janice Riggins, and for a moment, he thought he'd have to call the paramedics. Janice almost stopped breathing, but when she finally started to talk, she sounded like a kid at Christmas.
Dave Game wheels in the new iMac
She couldn't believe that were offering to give her girls a brand new Lime iMac and printer, and even more, to come to the girls' group home in South Miami-Dade to deliver and install it.
Our team made the delivery before visiting Marie's home, and Janice was waiting at the door. As we worked unpacking the iMac and the Epson 740 printer, both purchased with money raised from Gold Coast Mac fundraising projects, she shared pictures of the places she'd taken her young  mothers, in an effort to broaden their horizons. She believes it's important to plan for the future. But with children to care for, and facing life without family support, for many of her girls it's hard enough to get through the day.
Janice (right) with Princess and baby
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| Janice was so pleased to get our donated iMac because it would not only help the girls as they try to complete high school, it would also give them a chance to practice skills, even while at home with their babies, which could improve their chances for a productive future.
So as the babies looked on, the house mother and the girls gathered around the iMac as we turned it on, and it announced its presence. The home was filled with laughter as the iMac introduced itself using Applescript, explained what it could do, and added that it even liked babies, "as long as I don't have to change diapers!"
Rose Lynn and the residents hear their new iMac introduce itself
The iMac came complete with Appleworks, which the girls can use for schoolwork, an encyclopedia, and a complete set of educational programs for children, which the young mothers can use to introduce their children to the world of learning.
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| Janice was especially surprised when we presented her with a Brother word processor which had also been donated to Gold Coast Mac, so she could have some help with her own clerical work.
Both Janice and Marie were given memberships  in Gold Coast Mac to help with support. Marie will keep her computer, and take it to college as she pursues her dream. At the group home, the iMac will remain as new girls arrive and others graduate to independent living, hopefully a bit more confident thanks to the green translucent gift from a group of people who believe in giving back to the community, starting with kids who are too often overlooked.
Everyone looks on as Dave Game explains it all
If you'd like to donate equipment for this program, please contact us!
February 2000
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