Mission¶
What Second Boot is¶
Second Boot collects donated and discarded laptops, data-cleanses and rebuilds them on Ubuntu Linux with curated open-source software, then deploys them through a structured digital literacy program. Completion of the program awards a device.
We serve schools, recovery communities, elderly adults, youth, veterans, the economically marginalized, and the incarcerated or previously incarcerated — meeting each group where they are.
Five pillars¶
Hardware Recovery¶
Collect donated laptops from businesses, schools, and individuals. Diagnose, repair, and triage at our makerspace partner site.
Data Cleanse & Rebuild¶
Drive-type-appropriate sanitization (overwrite for HDDs, ATA/NVMe Secure Erase for SSDs, Cryptographic Erase for self-encrypting drives) using the open-source ShredOS tool stack. Every device receives a per-device wipe certificate. Designed to align with NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 (2025) and IEEE 2883-2022. Fresh Ubuntu LTS install with the curated educational software stack.
[HYPOTHESIS]Alignment with NIST 800-88 Rev. 2 is claimed only after program documentation has been reviewed by a qualified information-security professional. See Data Sanitization.
Literacy Seminars¶
Modular classes in computer basics, internet safety, social media literacy, AI literacy, job skills, creative tools, optional coding, and a dedicated seniors track. Each module adapted per audience.
Device Award¶
Program completers receive a refurbished laptop as a tangible reward for learning and commitment. Award tracks are designed for different audiences and time commitments.
Ongoing Support¶
Help desk, community chat (Signal / Matrix), drop-in repair hours, and an alumni mentoring pipeline that pays back into the program.
Why this program exists¶
Digital exclusion compounds every other form of exclusion. A person without a working computer cannot apply for jobs through modern HR systems, access telehealth, manage benefits portals, complete most coursework, or stay connected to family across distance. Donated corporate laptops often end up in landfills or as e-waste; the people who need them most don't get them. Second Boot is the bridge.
Pairing the hardware with a structured literacy program — rather than handing out devices alone — is a design choice: ownership and confidence are built together, and the device is something earned, not given. This is a [HYPOTHESIS] about retention and outcomes; it will be tested in pilot cohorts.
Who we serve¶
| Audience | Primary need |
|---|---|
| K-12 students | Out-of-school access, after-school programming |
| Adults in recovery | Job skills, identity rebuilding, peer support context |
| Reentry / formerly incarcerated | Digital reintegration, employment readiness |
| Elderly adults | Confidence, family connection, telehealth, scam protection |
| Youth (after-school) | Creative tech, coding, digital citizenship |
| Veterans | Translation of military experience, civilian career tools |
| Economically marginalized | Equal access — period |
| Currently incarcerated | Offline learning, including local AI tools |
Where we operate¶
Base: Charleston, West Virginia. Primary refurbishment site: local makerspace partner. Delivery model: classroom sessions on-site at partner organizations, with bring-to-them outreach via shelters and food banks for adults who can't easily come to us.
Operating values¶
- Earned, not given. The award is the device. Participants finish a curriculum to receive it.
- Open source by default. No proprietary software ships with a Second Boot device. Reasons: cost, freedom, reproducibility, security review.
- Patience-first instruction. Especially in seniors and recovery tracks. Repeating a question is part of the program, not a failure.
- Honest about outcomes. We measure and report what we can prove. Claims about lives changed wait for evidence.
- Workforce inside the program. Hardware tech roles, peer instructor roles, and logistics roles are paths into paid work for participants — not separate hiring.