ReliaTech Opens New Refurbishing, Recycling, and Distribution (RR&D) Center; Provides 100 Paid Internships

RICHMOND, Calif. & OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ReliaTech, the nonprofit social enterprise of the Stride Center, is proud to announce the Grand Opening event of a 5,200 square foot new Refurbishing, Recycling, and Distribution (RR&D) Center on Thursday, July 26, 2012. The RR&D Center will allow ReliaTech to become more efficient by bringing all refurbished, recycled and distribution of computer equipment and supplies to one site.

“This experience is proven to help launch well-paid technology careers for low-income adults who have received certifications from the Stride Center. The RR&D will more than double the number of opportunities in Richmond and San Pablo.”

“By expanding business capacity, ReliaTech will more than double the number of paid internships and jobs from 35 to 100 in the first 12 months for Stride Center graduates and students,” said Ben Delaney, CEO of ReliaTech. “This experience is proven to help launch well-paid technology careers for low-income adults who have received certifications from the Stride Center. The RR&D will more than double the number of opportunities in Richmond and San Pablo.”

The RR&D Center was made possible by our Presenting Sponsor, Chevron Richmond, and a generous Capacity Grant from the San Francisco Foundation.

“Chevron is proud to support ReliaTech’s mission of providing high quality, professional and affordable computer repair services, internships and jobs for the Richmond community,” said Andrea Bailey, Chevron Richmond Community Engagement Manager. “Chevron recognizes that investments in job training and e-waste recycling are investments in Richmond’s future economic growth.”

“The creation of this RR&D Center by ReliaTech, and the Stride Center, is an important social and business decision that acknowledges the value that exists in our Richmond community. By training, certifying and placing Richmond residents into tech jobs while supporting our environment is a win-win economic development opportunity that my office wholeheartedly supports. We are very excited about the positive impact this new community resource will provide,” said Gayle McLaughlin, Mayor for the City of Richmond.

“The San Francisco Foundation is honored to support ReliaTech and its new RR&D Center that will help low-income, low-skilled workers obtain additional training and employment opportunities that will put them on a path to earn sustainable wages and access career advancement opportunities,” said Vanitha Venugopal the Program Director for Community Development and Investment at The San Francisco Foundation.