The Take Home Computer Program (THCP) began in 1999. Since that time, OTX-West has distributed more than 10000 free home computers to Oakland students and their families.

OTX-West provides Pentium II and Pentium III computers with Windows 2000 Professional to any Oakland students in grades 6-12. We also offer Pentium III and IV computers to Oakland schools and nonprofits.

OTX-West provides classroom computers to Oakland Unified schools and home computers to Oakland Unified middle and high school students. We accept computer hardware donations from local businesses and other organizations. Each computer is tested and loaded with legal and appropriate software for its intended use. Finally, the computers, monitors, keyboards, and mice are cleaned before their distribution.

OTX-West is served through tahe year by volunteers. Non-technical volunteers come to the project from all over the Bay Area. These volunteers help clean and prepare the equipment before distribution. As a result of their labor, they receive “service bucks” that are redeemable in the OTXWest Tech Store for peripherals and upgrades.

OTX-West manages its work through a full-time volunteer Director, 6 full time staff, 3 part-time staff, and 1 full-time AmeriCorps CTC VISTA. OTX-West is a project of the Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute. You can support us by donating, volunteering, or partnering. Contact us to get involved!

The best way to reach us is through our contact form , otherwise by phone at 510-893-4822. OTX-West is located at 1680 14th Street. (warehouse at the corner of 14th and Willow Streets in West Oakland.) Map.