Daryn Kagan shares the inspiring story of Lorraine Kerwood, the founder and Executive Director of NextStep Recycling, a Eugene, Oregon-based organization that educates and empowers low income and disadvantaged people by providing refurbished computers that allow access to technology and the Internet. The interview can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.DarynKagan.com.
Kerwood grew up under challenging circumstances with learning difficulties. Teachers and others assigned her numerous labels that included “mentally retarded” and “mentally ill.” After a variety of low-paying jobs when she entered the work force, Kerwood was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and returned to school where she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Oregon. During that time, the student once labeled "challenged,"
“Access to this technology has allowed me to expand in ways that I had no idea that I was capable of,” said Kerwood. “It’
With her new skill set and her abiding sensitivity to the issues of the disadvantaged, Kerwood moved her operation beyond a garage and established NextStep Recycling, a non-profit organization that has to date distributed over 11,000 computers both locally and globally, and has recycled more than 1,000 tons of electronic waste. Through NextStep Recycling, Kerwood helps many disadvantaged children today get the opportunities she did not have when growing up. Her organization counts among its staff and volunteers many whom social services have had difficulty in placing in the job market due to long-standing prejudices.
For more information on Lorraine Kerwood and NextStep Recycling, please visit http://www.nextsteprecycling.org/
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DarynKagan.com is the exclusive online channel for Daryn Kagan’s unique brand of inspirational news stories, and the base of her media company that provides hopeful and inspirational news content across numerous platforms. Described by The Boston Globe as ‘bucking the media tide” with its "emphasis on stories that illustrate the triumph of the human spirit," DarynKagan.com has become a daily destination for thousands of Internet users who seek hopeful news stories that are meant to "Show the World What’s Possible." Earlier, Daryn served as a news anchor and reporter for CNN from 1994-2006. She traveled the world to report on breaking news stories and events, including live from the Middle East during the war in Iraq, from several countries in Africa with musician and U2 band member Bono to report on famine and AIDS on that continent, and from the red carpet at numerous Academy Award ceremonies. Daryn’
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