Tucked away in Fremont sits a warehouse that’s been quietly transforming lives through technology for over two decades. PCs for People, formerly known as InterConnection, has been a fixture in our neighborhood for 26 years. While the name on the sign may be changing (eventually!), the mission remains the same.
“That’s the thing I love talking about…our team is phenomenal,” said Keely Coxwell, Partnerships Manager for the Washington branch. “The Seattle team really watches out for each other.”
A Fremont institution evolves
Long-time Fremont residents might remember when this area was more blue-collar, when the folks dropping off old electronics were the same neighbors shopping for used electronics at the InterConnection store. While the neighborhood has changed dramatically over the years, PCs for People has stayed put, maintaining deep roots in our community.
In February, PCs for People, a national nonprofit with 11 branches across the country, acquired InterConnection. But don’t worry, nearly everyone in the building is an InterConnection alum, and they’re fiercely proud of that legacy.
“I’m really happy working with PCs for People,” Coxwell said. “They’re doing incredible stuff. I truly honor the legacy of InterConnection. We’re still doing the same work, PCs for People has really helped streamline a lot of things, and the resources are incredible.”
More than just e-waste recycling
Walk past the building on any weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and you’ll see three bins waiting outside. Anyone can drop off any electronic device: no appointment needed, no questions asked, completely free. It’s that simple.
“Everything we do is free,” Coxwell said. “You don’t need to tell anyone. It’s open for anyone to come by and drop anything off.”
What makes this location special is its accessibility. While other PCs for People branches are tucked away in business parks, the Fremont warehouse sits right on bus lines, walkable for residents. “A lot of our other locations are just not in a place like this,” Coxwell noted. “We feel really lucky and want to stay here in Fremont. It’s an incredible community and such a giving one.”
The journey of a laptop
Inside the warehouse, donated devices are sorted into two categories. Worn-out electronics from the dock typically get responsibly recycled, shredded into confetti if they contain hard drives, broken down into component parts, and never sent to a landfill.
But Coxwell’s real passion is for the corporate donations she manages, those laptops from companies like Alaska Airlines, Expedia, and the Gates Foundation. “Businesses refresh their employees’ devices much more frequently than individuals,” she said. “After just a few years, they want everyone on the same page with the same updates, so those laptops are still in great condition.”
Those devices get a complete makeover. The tech team removes all data (PCs for People is NAID AAA certified for data destruction, the highest standard available), refurbishes the hardware, and re-images the operating system. Some computers that can’t run Windows 11 get loaded with Linux instead, which actually works better for certain users, including refugees and immigrants who need extra data security.
Who gets these refurbished computers?
This is where the mission really shines. PCs for People serves low-income individuals and families across Washington, with a focus on those in South Seattle and South King County.
The qualification threshold might surprise you: if you’re a single household making $60,000 or less annually in Seattle, you qualify for a low-cost device. That number reflects the shocking reality of our region’s cost of living and wage disparity.
Refurbished laptops cost at most around $240, with some as low as $100 depending on specifications. According to their 2024 impact report, 56% of their customers had never owned a computer before, and 67% were unemployed at the time of purchase.
Beyond individual sales, PCs for People partners with nonprofits like the International Rescue Committee, providing computers for digital literacy programs and “learn-to-earn” models where refugees take a class and leave with a laptop.
Looking ahead
The team is exploring opening a storefront location in South Seattle or South King County, making it easier for the communities they serve to access devices. They’re also expanding their reach through partnerships with Seattle Public Libraries and libraries in Tacoma and Olympia, setting up pop-up collection sites.
And starting just recently, they’ve partnered with the Ballard Food Bank, adding a non-perishable food donation bin outside their warehouse. “We figured with everything going on recently, and as a space where community members come somewhat regularly, we have the space to have a collection site,” Coxwell said.
Join the mission
Want to help? Drop off your old electronics at 1121 N 35th St. any weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tax receipt slips are available by the door if you need one.
If you qualify for a low-cost device, visit PCs for People’s website at pcsrefurbished.com to learn more. They’re also always looking for volunteers, particularly those interested in gaining IT experience. They partner with organizations like Per Scholas to provide hands-on tech training.
“It’s pretty nice to show up to work and be like, ‘I’m doing something good,’” Coxwell reflected. “Your labor is doing good.”
In an era when we’re constantly upgrading to the next device, it’s heartening to know that in Fremont, those “old” laptops aren’t ending up in a landfill, they’re opening doors for families who need them most.
For more information about donating electronics, purchasing a refurbished computer, or volunteering, visit www.pcsforpeople.org or call 651-354-2552.