Feature News

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- This Sunday, August 9, more than fifty teens from the Chicago area and North Carolina will gather at New Hope Camp & Convention Center in Chapel Hill NC. They have come together for an extraordinary weeklong event. The Chicago youth, part of the Youth Technology Corps, will show North Carolina teens how to refurbish used computers which have been donated by Image Micro Systems and OfficeMax. In less than one week, the youth will be ready to donate these computers as free computer labs in their communities.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/ytcorps/39347/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090807/NY58520 )

On Monday a truck with 100 used computers will arrive. They will unload the truck, train and work together at New Hope until Tuesday. Then, they will split into groups each going to one of the North Carolina schools where they will work on the computers. By Friday, each participating North Carolina school group will be ready to give a free computer lab to their community.

YTC started its first program in Cicero, Illinois in 1998. Since then it has grown with programs throughout Chicago and sister programs in Durango, Mexico. YTC youth rebuild computers, set up free computer labs and teach others on these computers. They become skilled with computers, learn to problem solve, work on teams and present themselves professionally, all while helping others in their neighborhoods and beyond.

YTC has worked hard developing the ability to expand this award winning program. North Carolina is a demonstration of what YTC and teens can do and the potential to expand to more communities and states.

David Finkel, YTC founder and president says, "They are my heroes! Think about it, high school kids setting up free computers while learning the technology themselves and as a bonus, reusing computers headed for a landfill."

He adds, "And if you're lucky enough to witness one of their donations, it will take your breath away"

TWO PRESS EVENTS

When: Monday, August 10, 2009 - 1:30 p.m.

Where: New Hope Camp and Convention Center - 4805 Hwy 86, Chapel Hill, NC

What: Computers Arrive: 50+ teens will receive a truckload of 100 used computers at New Hope. The entire group, including students and adults from five North Carolina high schools and five Chicago area high schools, will be available to the press 1:30-2:30p.m.

When: Friday, August 14, 2009 - 9:30 a.m.

Where: Wayne School of Engineering at Goldsboro High School - 700 N. Herman Street, Goldsboro, North Carolina

What: Computer Donation: - Students from Wayne School of Engineering and their Chicago partners will display computers they have prepared and introduce the community group receiving their computer donation. The students will be available for interview 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Participating North Carolina Schools:

1. Bertie STEM High School, Windsor, North Carolina
2. Jacket Integrated Academy, Winston-Salem North Carolina
3. Wayne School of Engineering - Goldsboro H. S., Goldsboro North Carolina
4. Weldon STEM Academy, Weldon North Carolina
5. New Tech, Warrenton, North Carolina
   

Participating Chicago Area Schools

1. Morton East High School, Cicero, Illinois
2. Wendell Phillips Academy, Chicago
3. Hyde Park Academy, Chicago
4. Farragut High School, Chicago
5. Washington High School, Chicago
   

Partners:

1. After School Matters, Chicago.
2. Morton High School, District 201, Cicero, IL
3. North Carolina New Schools Project
4. Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
5. Technology for Humanity
6. OfficeMax, Naperville, IL
7. Image Micro Systems, Austin, Tx.
8. Pro Gems, Chicago
   

Special Guest: Daphne Bell, Todd Bell Resource Center, Ohio State University

    Contacts:
    Dave Finkel 773-425-9569(cell)
    YTC President & Founder
    Ginny Zerang 847-609-2469 (cell)
    YTC Executive Director