Computers have become an integral part of education. In a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, about 20% of 8th-grade classrooms reported not using computers for schoolwork during the school day. Oftentimes, this is a result of decreased access to technological resources, a gap only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue, labeled nationally as the “digital divide,” is present in numerous Hudson County programs providing educational and social resources for students. At just fifteen years old, Hoboken resident Dylan Zajac knew that something had to be done and launched Computers 4 People, a non-profit dedicated to the very cause.
Since its inception, Computers 4 People has donated over 2,600 computers, over 1.4 million hours of internet, and kept over 44,000 pounds of toxic e-waste from polluting the environment.
This local non-profit is always looking for ways to give back to the community. In 2021, Computers 4 People partnered with AT&T and Connected Nations to donate WIFI hotspots to York Street Project individuals. The non-profit also held a special open house in 2022 at its newly acquired office space and has hosted numerous fundraising events. In 2024, Computers 4 People is celebrating its 5th anniversary with another fundraising event to help raise money to bridge the digital divide. The 5th-anniversary fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, May 8th from 7PM to 10PM at Wicked Wolf Tavern at 120 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken.
We had a chance to sit down with Dylan to learn more about Computers 4 People and his journey since he founded the non-profit in 2019 — including how the organization recently opened a new office in Waltham, Massachusetts. Read on to learn more about Computers 4 People and how this local organization gives back to the Hudson County community and beyond.
Photo Credit: Computers 4 People
How Computers 4 People Came to Be
As a young person, Dylan uses technology in almost every aspect of his life. From school extracurriculars to gaming, Dylan started to notice how crucial items like computers and tablets were for both learning and playing. Along with this realization, Dylan also started to develop a passion for fixing up old computers as a way to get new tech at a lower cost. He pulled in some of his friends with similar hobbies and skills as a way to refurbish old tech and potentially make money. However, what started as a potentially lucrative business venture, quickly turned into a charitable solution.
Read More: Jersey City Nonprofit, Team Wilderness, Cuts Ribbon on New Headquarters
With a father in the tech industry and a stepmother in non-profit work, Dylan grew up with an understanding of technology as well as an understanding of the needs in under-resourced communities. These understandings, coupled with curiosity and a trip with friends to a thrift shop, is how Computers 4 People was born.
“Me and my friends started going to thrift shops and buying old electronics and selling them. One of my friends had the idea to start going into schools to get more computers and refurbish them for homeless shelters,” Zajac said about how he got started on this mission. As the idea developed, Dylan brought his dad, who has a background in tech, on-board and they realized that under-resourced communities could use the computers for good and he began to lean on an additional family member whose background came in handy. “My stepmother works in non-profits, so we thought it would be a good idea to turn this into a non-profit as well.”
Zajac worked hard to create the organization — getting 501(c)3 status, creating a website, forming a Board, getting computers, finding storage units, and more in under one year at the age of 15. After being turned down by one storage unit, he went to CubeSmart in town to request space.
“They were really nice! They took my paperwork and within a week I was able to start using the unit which helped a lot as we had just received a donation of 30 desktops,” he shared. His love for technology and his love for giving back to the community has manifested into hard work and a dedication to providing as many places as possible with access to technology in addition to taking part in various extra-curricular activities as a student himself, such as varsity soccer, basketball, piano, leading the robotics team, and skiing.
Getting Started
As he began working on more and more computers, he reached out to organizations in the area that provide educational resources to underserved communities. Soon, he was up and running, and that first donation, one that went directly to the Hoboken Jubilee Center, really made him feel proud. “I had been talking to Veronica and Andrew at the Jubilee Center to coordinate,” Zajac mentioned that the Jubilee Center had been looking for four desktop computers to set up for students to do media work and edit movies. After coordinating with leaders at the Jubilee Center, he was able to set up the desktop computers. “While I was there, some of the kids were in the room and they were very excited to have the computers at the program!”
Computers 4 People Today
Photo Credit: Computers 4 People
Now, Computers 4 People has donated to multiple locations throughout Hudson County and Northern New Jersey, all with a teenager at the helm. “We have a lot of inventory and are looking for more organizations in need and to expand as much as possible,” Dylan noted that he wants to support as many organizations as possible. “I really would like to be able to hire people and expand to different states so that we can donate as many computers as possible,” he previously told HG. Computers 4 People has since expanded into brand-new office spaces, and most recently, opened up a new office in Waltham, Massachusetts.
On opening the new Massachusetts office, Dylan told HG “I’m currently a student at Babson College and, while networking, I noticed the surrounding areas lacked the types of services we provide. Waltham seemed like a natural good fit: It’s geographically close to companies we’re working with, as well as communities needing our services.”
Dylan elaborated on what he plans to achieve with this expansion. “We want the success that we’ve had in New Jersey and NYC to echo in MA, by working with the community in order to bring real solutions that evolve with the changing digital environment. My hope is that we’re one day able to bring similar services nationally, then globally, to fully bridge the digital divide. That means not just listening and learning but striving to always do better in everything that we do.”
As the program grows, Dylan hopes to expand his reach to those rebuilding their lives during and after incarceration in addition to the work he’s been able to accomplish in schools. Dylan also shared that everyone can help with this mission: “Everyone can help by donating their computers or even their time! Anyone who knows about tech or is willing to help can.”
For those looking to donate, head to www.computers4people.org and fill out the donation application. Computers 4 People accepts all electronics including desktops, laptops, keyboards, tablets, monitors, and more. All donations are tax-deductible and a form can be obtained on the site as well.
See More: Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities in Essex County
The 5-Year Anniversary + Upcoming Event
As Computers 4 People celebrates five years of giving back and looks ahead to its upcoming fundraising event, we chatted with Dylan to reflect on what he’s accomplished with this incredible non-profit.
HG: What has been your biggest accomplishment in the past 5 years?
DZ: “We’ve enabled access to education for over 1,500 people, helped over 600 people gain employment, added digital skills courses and e-recycling — all while expanding the reach of our services and advocating for digital equity.
It’s been a humbling experience, as we started from a storage unit and now have an office here in Hoboken, where we serve Northern New Jersey and New York City as a drop-off site for computer donations and e-waste, which we also coordinate pickups for. We’ve also expanded to Massachusetts, where we’ll be opening a new office in Waltham on April 30th to likewise serve the community there.”
HG: When you started the organization, what were your goals + how have you been able to achieve some of them thus far?
DZ: “I wanted to turn a hobby of reselling computers into a real organization for those in need. We’ve gone from donating dozens of computers, to nearly 3,000 — at the same time recycling almost 45 thousand pounds of e-waste. None of which would have been made possible without the support of individuals and organizations that have donated their devices, time, and funding to us. However, we are just getting started, my goal is to donate 1,000,000 computers.”
HG: What are you looking forward to with the organization?
DZ: “Our upcoming 5th anniversary fundraiser here in Hoboken (link here)! A hundred people are going to get together at Wicked Wolf Tavern on May 8th to foster digital equity. I’ll also (finally) be 21 by that point so I’ll be able to join in a toast this time. Please lend us your support!”
Computers 4 People’s 5th anniversary fundraising event will take place from Wednesday, May 8th from 7PM to 10PM at Wicked Wolf Tavern at 120 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken.
Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok to stay in the know with all of the Hoboken and Jersey City happenings, and sign up for our newsletter that shares all of our top stories to your inbox here.
