ETHS Youth Technology Corps helps bridge digital divide
Expanding its mission to provide refurbished computers to organizations in need, Evanston Township High School’s Youth Technology Corps (YTC) is sending a small team of Evanston students and instructors to New Orleans to set up new YTC clubs. The clubs empower teens to lead communities by helping nonprofit groups and individuals gain access to computer technology.
ETHS YTC is one of three flagship clubs that serve as a model for all YTC clubs. In the past two years, the club has donated dozens of refurbished computers to local nonprofit and community agencies, including Evanston’s Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, Curt’s Cafe, Bethel A.M.E. Church, and the City of Evanston’s Youth and Young Adult department. ETHS YTC also has a global scope and has delivered computers to social service agencies, schools, and youth in Durango, Mexico.
A new project aimed at two target neighborhoods in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) will provide computer hardware and technology education to impoverished areas that are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina ten years ago. In partnership with New Orleans’ Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal (CELSJR), YTC plans to refurbish and deliver computers as well as provide the expertise needed to start New Orleans’ first two Youth Technology Corps clubs.
“This expansion has inspired ETHS YTC youth to seek opportunities beyond the bounds of their local community,” stated Margo Scholl, ETHS YTC Program Coordinator. In addition to the NOLA project, ETHS YTC will focus on two other new initiatives this year – a digital media program to create computer repair ‘how-to’ videos (sponsored in part by an Evanston Community Foundation grant) and an outreach project designed to bring computers and technology training to nonprofits serving Evanston’s middle school students (sponsored in part by Evanston Lighthouse Rotary).
ETHS YTC meets after school at Evanston Township High School on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and welcomes new members throughout the year.
For more information on how to get involved with YTC initiatives, please contact Margo Scholl, ETHS YTC Program Coordinator (margo.scholl@ytcorps.org) or Amina Dada (aminadada3@gmail.com).