Empowering Through Technology
BinaryHeart is a student-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that refurbishes "retired" technology for donation to students, schools, programs, and other underserved groups in need of these devices. I turned BinaryHeart from a highschool club into a multi-chapter 501(c)(3) with operations at 8 schools across Illinois and Indiana. We have now participated in AI safety research, developed open source software, and helped hundreds of people gain digital access and skills.
The Problem, Our Solution
households rely solely on smartphones for internet access
of workers lack skills for today's digital workforce
Our Journey
From a high school club to a multi-state nonprofit
My Role
Founding and scaling BinaryHeart from a high school club to a multi-state nonprofit
BinaryHeart was a high school club started at New Trier High School in 2016. I joined in 2018 and fell in love with the mission on the back end of COVID when we were able to provide devices to students who were unable to complete their online schooling.
When I graduated, I formalized BinaryHeart as a nonprofit, gained 501(c)(3) status, and opened the IU chapter. In our first year operating out of my apartment, we repaired and donated approximately 100 devices. In its first year as a formal nonprofit, we donated over triple the number of devices donated in my year of graduation.
I am passionate about digital equity because of my love for technology. I have experienced firsthand how much of a gift access to technology is, and understand how something as simple as an internet connection can change someone's life.
Device Distribution
Collection
We collect depreciated, broken, or old computers from businesses, towns, and individual community members.
Data Wiping
All data is securely wiped from every device to protect donor privacy.
Repair & Upgrade
Each device is repaired and upgraded to ensure it functions with WiFi, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage, healthy battery, and Windows 10 or 11.
Packaging
Devices are packaged with chargers (for laptops) and requested peripherals for donation.
Distribution
Recipients apply with demonstrated need and complete an interview. We also work with community partners for referrals.
International Activities
Nepal
BinaryHeart is preparing a project to ship laptops to Nepal through coordination with New Trier staff, Montana State University, and Active Hearts Foundation.
The devices are going to a school library in rural Nepal near Kathmandu, where currently only 1-2 desktops serve a few hundred students. We're providing 10 HP laptops with accessories, 10xing their technology resources.
The laptops will be driven to Montana in mid-June and shipped to Nepal in late September when Montana State makes their trip. An Active Hearts courier will deliver them to the school.
Kenya
BinaryHeart is expanding operations to Kenya, bringing our device distribution and digital literacy programs to underserved communities in East Africa.
Website Development
BinaryHeart builds websites, free of charge, for small businesses and nonprofits. This helps our members gain web development skills, builds our network, and helps these organizations gain more visibility.
Griffonix
griffonix.com
AI spectral watermarking for deepfake detection
Spud Shacks
spudshacks.com
Local restaurant website
IMVMT
imvmt.net
Movement and wellness platform
Malibu House of Recovery
malibuhouseofrecovery.com
Recovery center website
AI Research & Development
Griffonix
Griffonix is a company that works to mitigate the harm that deepfakes pose while still enabling this technology to be used for realistic creative media.
The Technology
Griffonix uses an AI spectral watermarking method to embed invisible (to human eyes) and immutable noise to an image to identify its provenance and distributor. This allows platforms like browsers and social media platforms to restrict or alert users of AI-generated uploads, reducing disinformation while providing guardrails for this technology to progress.
My Contribution
Along with Darragh Buckley, I organized market, legal, and technical research teams to identify the target market and required features, analyze and provide projections of regulatory and legislative environment in the United States, the EU, and China, and to research different spectral watermarking algorithms.
Research Outcomes
Our teams, comprised of undergraduate and graduate students, conducted dozens of market interviews, over 10 interviews with policymakers in the US, and over 60 hours of research and experimentation with different types of watermarking methods. We delivered our research to Griffonix, providing real impact while learning research methods and how to organize a large, multi-faceted research effort.
Current Status
Griffonix is currently in a Google Accelerator program and continues to work to make AI-generated content safe and identifiable.
Visit Griffonix →The Team
I wouldn't be able to do what I do without our amazing executive board.
Jack Wilber
Executive Director
Founded the IU chapter and formalized BinaryHeart as a 501(c)(3). Passionate about digital equity and making technology accessible to all.
Mary Dinkha
Executive Board Member
Analytical senior at IU majoring in economics. Brings experience with statistical modeling, research, storytelling, and fundraising.
Enzo Caggiano
Executive Board Member
Tech-focused and organized senior at Northwestern majoring in Economics. Smart, analytical, well-versed in technology and finance. Has been building and repairing computers since childhood. Automates and streamlines our processes.
Henly Wolin
Executive Board Member
Retired lawyer and pharmaceutical technician. Yale graduate with a JD from Miami and PhD in education from IU. Brings extensive nonprofit experience and a vast network of connections.