YTC is hosting its 13th summer camp in Troy, Missouri this August, and invites any group of students interested to attend. The students will learn the in’s and out’s of computers, how to diagnose and repair issues, and how to refurbish and donate the working machine. Students will leave camp with improved computer hardware and software skills, in addition to leadership skills, career skills, and self-confidence.

For details, visit our website, check out the video from 2009, or email Katie(at)ytcorps.org

We hope to see you there!

Six teams of eight students competed for the Iron Tech title on May 4, 2012

Thank you to all of YTC’s supporters!

 Installing Computers at the Sunlight African Community Center

OK, so here is the whole story about the Sunlight African Community Center.  They are a great place that helps with the community of African immigrants.  They had 3 computers and we donated 3 more.

here’s how the process of donating works:

First we chose 3 computers that fit the right specifications.
They have to have at least 1 gigabyte of ram and a certain kind of processor (pentium 4 or higher).  They need to be fast like this because we install windows 7 on them. Windows 7 is cool and all, but it is bloatware (which means it is stuffed to bursting with way too many features.). this makes it hard to run on older computers.

After we get the computers picked out, then we make sure they are working. (some needed new ram or disk drives).

Once the hardware works, we then put Windows on them, which is fairly easy, because we have special installation disks that let you do the setup on one computer and then burn the setup to a disk so it is automated on all other computers.

We can install the software using a mode called audit mode that lets us “seal the computer back up” and go back to the installation screen. we do this so whoever gets the computer can set it up their way.

We only had a little bit of trouble getting the sound to work, and then the computers were ready to deliver.  We loaded them into vans, and drove them to the community center. the people there were very nice and we helped them set up the computers, a network, and a firewall which protects the computers.

the entire thing was very fun and I am glad that we did it.

made by Alex B.

http://ytcb.blogspot.com/

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

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