A RESOLUTION HONORING YOUTH TECHNOLOGY CORPS
WHEREAS, The Youth Technology Corps (YTC) is a collection of computer clubs in under-served communities and schools throughout the City of Chicago, North Carolina and Durango, Mexico, which provides STEM education and job readiness in struggling communities, creates low-cost sustainable out-of-school alternatives, brings needed technology to communities, and builds good citizenship; and
WHEREAS, YTC's innovative new approach delivers key elements of STEM education to our most at-risk youth while providing computer technology to some of our neediest communities through its operation of out-of-school programs, free summer camps, and Iron Tech competitions, where youth learn how to refurbish computers and donate them to communities in need; and
WHEREAS, YTC's programs are designed for students who seek a safe place to go after school, who desire to use their time in innovative and productive ways, and who wish to learn useful and practical career-oriented skills; and
WHEREAS, Youth Technology Corps has had contracts with After School Matters (ASM) and was approved as the first ASM group to take Chicago students out of the country for i-week computer donation trips to Durango, Mexico, where over the years, it has donated over 800 refurbished computers to Durango schools; and
WHEREAS, YTC operates after-school computer clubs in metro Chicago where more than 1800 youth have refurbished and donated more than 3,200 computers to more than 40 communities, offers free summer computer camps in North Carolina and Missouri hosting more than 300 youth from more than 30 communities in seven states, and holds Iron Tech Competitions every spring where 150 youth have demonstrated their expertise by refurbishing computers in order to donate them to struggling communities; and
WHEREAS, YTC and its partners propose to build the YTC Network, which will create a central hub that offers guidance, curricula, standards, and participation in YTC events offering communities around the world help starting and maintaining their own YTC club; and
WHEREAS, the YTC Network proposes the creation of over 100 new YTC clubs over the next five years with the existing clubs in Chicago, North Carolina, and Durango, Mexico acting as working models for expansion; and
WHEREAS, Youth Technology Corps is currently building a coalition of supporters and industry leaders to provide funds and expertise in order to implement this significant expansion of the YTC network; and
WHEREAS, As the YTC Network develops, it will enhance Chicago's reputation as a technology center in addition to creating better prospects for our youth; and therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this tenth day of April, 2013, do hereby salute Youth Technology Corps and offer our best wishes for the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to Youth T-ecnnolbgy Corps as a token of our esteem and good wishes.