Hit Save
By Naperville Magazine
Appears in the June 2025 issue.
By Paige Nussbaumer
The Power Up Project turns electronic waste into refurbished tech
Louis V. Gerstner Jr., the former CEO of IBM, once said, “Computers are magnificent tools for the realization of our dreams, but no machine can replace the human spark of spirit, compassion, love, and understanding.” While no machine can replace that human spark, a human spark can bring an old computer back to life, and in the case of local nonprofit the Power Up Project, put it to good use to help those in need.
Founded in 2018 by Eric Chen, Power Up is a student-run organization whose purpose is to decrease electronic waste and increase access to computers for people in need by refurbishing donated computers and components. Its leadership includes outgoing President Jai Gupta, who graduated in May from Naperville North High School. This past school year, the group had 16 members, including rising Naperville North senior Kyle Wang, who will now take the helm. An advisory board of the founder and past presidents assists as needed with organizational business and advice.
The group is constantly looking for new avenues for acquiring old tech to refurbish. Last year, the Aurora Public Library donated 100 computers and monitors; members spent last summer updating all that equipment to, in turn, donate to Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers—which supports low-income urban youths in Chicago. This past school year, Power Up received 120 computers, 70 monitors, and 120 iPhones and other smartphones from District 204’s IT department, the St. Charles Public Library, Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, and Five Point Solutions. Some of those donations already have been refurbished and donated to World Relief Chicagoland for refugees and immigrants in need. Other recent recipients include the Light Collective, Plant Chicago, Families Helping Families Chicagoland, and Naperville Youth Club.
Power Up has its refurbishing process down to a science. Gupta teaches new members—with or without technical experience—how to refurbish computers. The process takes about 15 minutes. Each computer received is assessed for age and specific needs. Computers older than 10 years will most likely be recycled, but those from the last decade can be refurbished. New storage drives, memory upgrades, and operating systems are installed.
Other members prefer to work on partner negotiations or donation and sponsorship outreach. “[We take] a wide variety of people and then [match] them with their skill set,” Wang explains.
While funds for the upgrades come from donations from partners—including iFixit, Target, Fermilab, Northwestern, Chase Bank, and the IT People Network—Power Up does incur some out-of-pocket costs for parts like USB keys, storage drives, and supplies. The group welcomes monetary and gift card donations from companies and individuals.
Both Gupta and Wang agree their favorite part of the Power Up Project is donating the refurbished computers to deserving individuals and organizations in and around their community and seeing the positive impact their work has on other people.
Donations Needed
Before you toss your old tech, contact the Power Up Project first. If they can’t refurbish it, they will recycle it for you.
• DESKTOPS Mac/PC; even if broken/outdated
• LAPTOPS Mac/PC, even if broken/outdated
• MONITORS flat screens in working condition; no CRTs
• GAMING CONSOLES Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo in working condition
• TABLETS/IPADS
• MOBILE PHONES
• COMPUTER ACCESSORIES keyboards, mice, cables, etc.; no printers, scanners, or fax machines
• COMPUTER PARTS RAM, SSDs, hard drives, power supplies, etc.
Donate funds or gift cards to help Power Up in its mission.
Have something to donate? Visit thepowerupproject.org or email thepowerupproj@gmail.com.
Photo: Power Up Project
