Working to find the solution

Founded in 1997, YTC is a community-based technology solution that teaches students to refurbish computers and give back.  To date, over 1,200 students from the Chicago area have refurbished and donated over 3,500 computers, set up computer labs, and provided instruction to more than 30 communities around Chicago, as well as in North Carolina and Durango, Mexico.

Our programs are currently in eight public schools in the Chicagoland area, and that number continues to grow.  We have just signed contracts with two more high schools, and hope to have their programs started before the end of February!  We are excited to have the opportunity to teach more students about computers and giving back to their communities.

As the students work to learn about the hardware and software of computers, they are able to develop their own communication centers, based out of their program location.  These communication centers enable them to stay in contact with other YTC programs, no matter how many miles are between them.  Just recently, our program in Cicero, IL  met with another program in Rocky Mount, NC via Skype.  The students collaborated and exchanged ideas as though they were all in the same room together.  Using this as a model for the other programs, we are hoping to connect the other programs on a more regular basis.

Technology is a beautiful thing.

Some of our students from Bradwell Elementary on a field trip in Fall 2011

Every spring, YTC has the opportunity to host a computer refurbishing competition called “Iron Tech”. The students work hard all year long to participate in this anticipated event. They practice their computer skills tirelessly with the hope that their team will be deemed the Iron Tech champion.

In May, we will select the hardest working students to be on one of 6 teams. Each team will consist of 8 students, all from different schools and programs. And this year, we have the honor of hosting a YTC program that will be traveling all the way from Durango, Mexico! The teams will have to work together to be the fastest team to refurbish a computer, all the while overcoming obstacles like language barriers, leadership conflicts, and time management.

Check out the video below to watch a clip from 2010′s Iron Tech and to hear a little more history about YTC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daNp50TcSpA

YTC launches their new website.