Closing the Technology Gap Within Rural Households

LIFE Tech continues its mission to train students interested in Information Technology careers while expanding access to meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities. During this reporting period, the program has focused on strengthening partnerships with local IT businesses to ensure students gain real-world experience in addition to earning industry-recognized certifications.

Through these collaborations, students are working on practical projects and receiving mentorship from local IT professionals. This approach helps bridge the gap between classroom instruction and workforce readiness by allowing participants to apply their technical skills in real working environments.

We are especially grateful to local IT business owner Dustin Crawford of ETX IT Solutions (https://etxitsolutions.com) for donating computers to support our training program. These systems are being used by students to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, ensuring they are trained on current, industry-standard technology.

This investment by a local employer directly supports student learning and reinforces our commitment to developing a skilled, job-ready workforce in Deep East Texas.

 July 2025 Highlight: A Community-Funded STEAM Camp for Students

We’re excited to share that July 2025 was a tremendous success for the LIFE Tech program—and it’s all thanks to the ongoing support from donors like you and the incredible generosity of our local marketing clients, who sponsored one of our most inspiring initiatives to date.

With their contributions, we hosted a free STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Camp for middle and high school students in Deep East Texas. This multi-day experience introduced students to foundational tech skills in a fun and engaging environment. Campers rotated through sessions on:

• Intro to Coding

• Hands-On Robotics

• Digital Art & Creativity

• Drone Simulations & Tech Careers

But what made this even more impactful is that our very own LIFE Tech trainees—residents working toward IT certifications through our program—served as mentors and volunteer instructors. They helped lead activities, troubleshoot code, and model what a future in tech could look like for young learners from similar backgrounds.

Program Milestones to Date

Thanks to your continued support, the LIFE Tech program has now:

• Served over 4,000 households in Deep East Texas

• Distributed refurbished computers and internet access to families without digital connectivity

• Trained dozens of community members in computer refurbishment and IT fundamentals

• Created volunteer pathways for trainees to give back while gaining job-ready experience

We remain committed to reaching our goal of impacting 5,000 households by year five—and we’re well on our way.

What’s Next

As we prepare for the fall, we’re building on this momentum by:

• Expanding our STEAM and digital literacy curriculum for afterschool programming

• Scaling device refurbishment efforts to meet growing demand

• Deepening community partnerships to ensure more rural families gain access to critical tech resources

Thank You

Your donations, encouragement, and belief in digital inclusion continue to change lives. With every dollar, every device, and every volunteer hour, you're helping build a more connected and equitable East Texas.

Together, we’re not just bridging the digital divide—we’re building digital leaders.

With deep appreciation,
Michael Martinez
Program Director, LIFE Tech