• YTC
  • 1055 W. Bryn Mawr
  • Suite F- 218
  • Chicago, IL 60660
  • Tel: 312-445-0982
Who We Are
"Being naturally curious and creative, they took apart the computers, learned how to repair them, and then set up a computer lab for the school. Thus began the 'Cyber Service' at Morton East High School in Cicero."
Youth Technology Corps was founded in 1998 when Dave Finkel, a high school teacher and community organizer, discovered a number of used computers ready to be discarded and instead brought the computers to his students and challenged them to “See what can you do with these.” Being naturally curious and creative, the students disassembled the computers, educated themselves in computer repair, and established a computer lab for their school. This evolved into the ‘Cyber Service’ program at Morton East High School in Cicero, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Dave and his students continued to meet regularly, studied a variety of computers, and found needy places in their own community to form technology labs.

Since some of the students in the ‘Cyber Service’ program had extended family in Durango, Mexico, Dave suggested donating computers to the students’ hometown. In the first of what became an annual event, Dave accompanied a few of those students and five computers to Durango. This international exchange of technology and good will continues to this day and is the foundation of YTC’s global vision.

In 2003, Dave changed the name to “Youth Technology Corps” and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) Illinois not-for-profit corporation, recognizing the potential to empower future generations through the powerful combination of high school students and technology.

Today, YTC offers multiple programs in economically disadvantaged school districts of Chicago that service predominantly African American and Hispanic American youth. YTC programs are specially designed and tailored to operate in any community struggling with poverty, crime, depleted academic resources, and budget constraints.

YTC’s vision for the future is to provide a foundation for each YTC student participant to contribute to the greater community through practical and marketable education in technology.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  Chairman: Andrew Thomas
Retired Director of Innovation Development, W.W. Grainger, Inc., Evanston, IL
  President/Founder: David Finkel
David Finkel & Associates Real Estate Development Chicago, IL
  Treasurer: Frank Washelesky
C.P.A. , J.D., Director, Ostrow, Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd., Chicago, IL
  Executive Director: Virginia Locricchio Zerang
Youth Technology Corps, NFP, Inc., Glenview, IL
  Roman Emano
High School Science Teacher, Morton East High School; Certified T.E.A.M (Teachers of Experiential and Adventure Methodology) Instructor, Chicago, IL
  Mark Jackson
Managing Partner/Florida Projects, David Finkel & Associates Chicago, IL
  Rhea Keenan
Marketing and Development Director, Loran Marketing, Evanston, IL
  Ken Leonard
Managing Partner, Dymas Capital Management, LLC Deerfield, IL
  Heather Shields Nornes, Esq
Senior Insuranc Counsel, Chicago, IL
  Brad Serot
First Vice President Brokerage Services, CB Richard Ellis, Inc., Chicago, IL
  Marc Siciliano
National High School Science Consultant, USA Washington D.C.
  Bill Noonan
Retired VP International Business Development, WW Grainger Inc, Lake Forest, IL
Mark Engel
Board Member