At give IT. get IT., we’ve always believed that a computer isn’t just a piece of hardware. It’s a gateway. A gateway to education, to employment, and to economic independence. That’s why we’re inspired by a program right here in Maine that’s putting that belief into action.
What Is Remote Work for ME?
In 2021, the Maine Community College System (MCCS) launched Remote Work for ME: a $1.2 million workforce training initiative designed to connect rural Mainers with remote work opportunities. The program was seeded by a $535,000 grant from Ascendium Education Group, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit focused on postsecondary education, and supplemented by funds from the Maine Community College System, the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges, and the John T. Gorman Foundation.
The goal? Train more than 700 people over three years, for free.
“Over the years Maine has tried a variety of ways to bring jobs to rural communities. Through the advancement of technology, along with the support of employers, we can now connect urban-based companies with skilled workers working remotely.”
— John Fitzsimmons, President, Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges
Courses run six to nine months and prepare students for in-demand remote roles like medical coding, IT support, customer service, and financial services. There’s no tuition, and scholarships are available for computers, software, and internet connectivity for those who need them.
Why This Matters to Us
Remote Work for ME is exactly the kind of initiative that shows what’s possible when workforce development and digital access work together. But here’s the thing: a training program can only go so far if someone doesn’t have a suitable computer—or the support and confidence needed to make the most of it. The devices we provide matter, but the coaching and digital literacy support we offer alongside them matter just as much, if not more.
That’s where give IT. get IT. fits in.
Since 2002, we’ve provided over 20,000 refurbished computers to Maine residents in need. We collect retired devices from businesses and institutions across New England, wipe them securely, rebuild them into dependable machines, and get them into the hands of people who need them most—paired with hands-on coaching and ongoing user support.
For a rural Mainer enrolling in a Remote Work for ME course, a solid computer with support from give IT. get IT. could be the difference between participating and being left out.
The Bigger Picture
Remote Work for ME didn’t emerge in a vacuum. It launched alongside Maine’s pledge to invest $129 million in federal funds into internet expansion: a recognition that broadband infrastructure and workforce skills have to grow together. The Maine Connectivity Authority has since facilitated broadband connections for 86,000 homes and businesses across the state.
But connectivity and credentials still aren’t enough without a device to use them on. Maine’s own Digital Equity Plan identifies access to reliable, affordable devices as essential to meaningful internet use, and notes that nearly a third of low-income households in the state lack enough devices to meet their needs.
That’s the gap we exist to close.
What You Can Do
Whether you’re a business with outdated laptops sitting in a storage room, or an individual who just upgraded your computer, your donation can power someone’s next chapter.
Maine is proving what’s possible when communities invest in both the infrastructure and the people. We’re proud to be part of that ecosystem ~ one refurbished computer at a time.
give IT. get IT. is a Maine-based nonprofit and licensed electronics recycler working to close the digital divide through device recovery, refurbishment, and redistribution with free user coaching and support. Learn more at giveitgetit.org.
