Day One Tech - Lights on

Timeframe: May 2025- June 2025 ( Looking for funding to continue this work)

In the heart of  East County, a new energy is rising. 

Lights On:  is a six-week evening pilot program powered by Day One Tech STEM and Play Grow Learn to activate The Spot — a community makerspace designed for youth, families, and healing. Launching in May 2025, this initiative is more than just programming. It's a response to deep community need, a tribute to a lost community member, and a model for what’s possible when creativity, culture, and care come together.

Set in a neighborhood still reeling from the tragic loss of beloved youth mentor Montrell Goss, this program is part of a broader effort to reclaim space, build joy, and create a safe, inspiring environment for youth to grow and thrive.

Each weekend night, The Spot will open its doors and come alive with creativity, technology, and opportunity:

• Fridays: BRAND Night (Led by Play Grow Learn)
  Teens explore entrepreneurship and creativity by designing and screen printing custom t-shirts and merchandise.
   
  • Hands-on learning in branding and creative business
     
  • Mentorship through real-world design and production
     
  • A space to explore identity, voice, and vision
     
• Saturdays: STEM NIGHT (Led by Day One Tech STEM)
  A creative, family-friendly STEM lab featuring:
   
  • Music and video production workshops
     
  • Tech exploration and STEM enrichment
     
  • Open space for storytelling, tinkering, and play
     

Together, these nights will serve over 100 youth and families across the program period, providing consistent weekend programming in a corridor that has been historically left in the dark.

The Spot is located at 170th and Division, in one of the most under-resourced and recreation-starved parts of East County. Youth here face heightened exposure to gun violence, unsafe conditions, and limited access to positive outlets.

This project is about more than just lights and learning — it's about showing up, week after week, with intention and care.

• Restoring community trust through consistency and safety
   
• Honoring the legacy of community leaders like Montrell Goss
   
• Offering meaningful alternatives to negative influences
   

Our trauma-informed and community-centered approach includes:

• Planning Time for Staff: We honor the emotional labor of our mentors with dedicated prep time to deliver responsive, engaging sessions.
   
• Partnerships with Local Law Enforcement: Officers will participate voluntarily to build positive relationships and support safety.
   
• Security Measures: Cameras and lighting upgrades will keep the space visible, monitored, and welcoming after dark.
   

Lights On is the first step in a longer journey. With community support, we plan to grow this into a year-round neighborhood hub:

• Summer 2025: Daytime park programming with SKIP (Summer Kids in the Park) + continued evening activities
   
• Fall 2025 and Beyond: After-school and weekend sessions, school-based programs, and expanded partnerships
   

This pilot is not just a program — it’s a proof of concept. It’s a light turned on in a place that deserves to shine.

Timeframe: Ongoing

Description:
Day One Tech's after-school programs provide a dynamic, culturally responsive learning environment for youth in 6-12 schools. These programs are designed to meet kids where they are, offering engaging, hands-on STEM and arts-based activities that build critical thinking, creativity, and community connections.

Our curriculum incorporates elements of technology, engineering, and the arts, blending innovative tools like robotics, coding, and gaming with creative outlets like digital art and music production. These programs are led by educators of color who bring lived experiences and cultural awareness to their teaching, ensuring lessons are relevant, empowering, and fun.

Impact:

• Wide Reach: Engages hundreds of kids weekly across 6-12 schools in East County and Metro.
• Skill Development: Builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills through hands-on STEM and arts activities.
• Safe Spaces: Creates welcoming, culturally affirming environments where kids feel seen, supported, and inspired to learn.
• Community Connections: Strengthens ties between schools, families, and communities, fostering a sense of collective growth.

Program Highlights:

• Robotics and coding projects
• LEGO-based STEM challenges
• Digital art and music production
• Gaming and interactive learning activities
• Social-emotional learning and team-building exercises

Collaborators/Partners:

• Local schools and apartment community organizations
• Community mentors and educators

Ongoing Work:
Our after-school programs are continuously evolving to meet the needs of our participants. We focus on incorporating feedback from students, families, and partners to refine our curriculum and expand our reach. Looking ahead, we plan to introduce more advanced STEM modules, leadership opportunities for teens, and family-inclusive STEM nights to further strengthen community bonds.

Timeframe: Ongoing

Description:
Day One Tech is deeply committed to serving families in affordable and transitional housing communities by bringing STEM education directly to where they live. Through trauma-informed care and culturally responsive programming, we create safe, engaging spaces that foster learning and connection within these communities.

Recognizing the transportation barriers many families face, we tackle this challenge head-on by delivering our programs on-site, eliminating the need for families to travel to access these vital resources. Our activities include robotics, coding, digital art, and hands-on STEM challenges tailored to meet the needs of children and families in these settings.

Impact:

• Community Integration: Builds strong connections within housing communities, fostering a sense of belonging and shared growth.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Provides safe spaces that support emotional well-being and create opportunities for healing through creative, engaging activities.
• Accessibility: Eliminates transportation barriers by delivering programs directly to affordable and transitional housing sites.
• Youth Engagement: Serves approximately 40-50 children weekly, providing consistent, high-quality STEM programming that supports academic and personal growth.

Collaborators/Partners:

• Home Forward
• Hacienda CDC
• Impact NW
• Local property managers who assist in connecting us with families and identifying needs.

Ongoing Work:
We are continually expanding our partnerships with housing communities to reach even more families. By working closely with property managers and local organizations, we provide resources and programs that address the unique needs of each community. Our goal is to inspire curiosity, build resilience, and create a foundation for lifelong learning, all within the comfort and convenience of families’ living spaces.

Future Plans:
We aim to extend our reach to additional housing communities, offering new programs and activities that address the evolving needs of families. These efforts include introducing STEM nights for families, advanced robotics modules, and teen mentorship opportunities.

Timeframe: 4th Q - 2024 - Ongoing - Pilot

Description:
DOTEX is an innovative membership-based STEM program piloted at Rockwood Preparatory Academy, offering a higher level of gamification and engagement for students. This program integrates rewards and awards systems, creating a fun, interactive learning experience where students are motivated to achieve milestones and earn recognition for their accomplishments. 

As the first membership program of its kind, DOTEX is a groundbreaking effort to provide high-quality STEM education in an accessible and sustainable way.

For the first time, DOTEX introduces a paid membership model to make STEM education accessible to schools that do not have the budget for our programs and families with limited budgets. This pilot program is designed to be a low-barrier partnership for schools, offering affordable pricing for families while maintaining the high-quality programming that Day One Tech is known for.

Returning to Rockwood Preparatory Academy, where we launched our very first school program three years ago, we are proud to bring this next evolution of STEM education to the community that helped us start our journey.

Impact:

• Gamification and Motivation: Incorporates an advanced system of rewards and awards to inspire students to achieve and stay engaged.
• Accessible STEM Education: Provides a sustainable membership model, ensuring affordability for families and schools with limited budgets.
• Equity and Innovation: Pilots a replicable model for low-barrier school partnerships, creating new pathways for STEM education in underserved communities.
• Community Connection: Strengthens ties with Rockwood Prep, celebrating our roots while innovating for the future.

Program Highlights:

• Robotics, coding, and engineering challenges with gamified progress tracking
• Personalized learning pathways for members
• Exclusive membership perks, including events, resources, and awards
• Social-emotional learning and cultural responsiveness integrated into STEM activities

Collaborators/Partners:

• Rockwood Preparatory Academy
• Local educators and community mentors

Ongoing Work:
DOTEX is continuously adapting based on student, family, and educator feedback. As we refine the program, we aim to replicate this membership model across additional schools and communities, offering flexible and affordable STEM education opportunities. Future plans include expanding the gamification system, introducing family-inclusive STEM nights, and developing advanced STEM modules for higher engagement.

Future Plans:
DOTEX is poised to become a sustainable and scalable model for schools and communities, ensuring STEM education is accessible to all while maintaining affordability and quality.

Timeframe: 2024-2025 - Pilot Program - In need of funding

Description:
S.T.Y.L.E. is an innovative pilot program designed to empower teens through mentorship, self-expression, and self-care. Launched in 2024, this initiative combines free haircare services with mentorship opportunities, providing a unique space for teens to connect, learn, and grow. Local hairstylists, barbers, and mentors partner with Day One Tech to offer grooming services while teaching life skills and fostering leadership.

The program incorporates a variety of creative and educational elements, including discussions on self-empowerment, technology as a resource, and the importance of community engagement. By addressing self-care and self-esteem, S.T.Y.L.E. equips teens with the confidence and skills they need to thrive in school, work, and life.

Impact:

• Youth Empowerment: Offers mentorship and self-care sessions to boost confidence and leadership skills.
• Cultural Connection: Provides a safe, welcoming environment where teens can explore identity and self-expression.
• Community Engagement: Strengthens connections between youth and local professionals, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.

Collaborators/Partners:

• Local hairstylists and barbers
• Community mentors

Ongoing Work:
As a pilot program, S.T.Y.L.E. is actively growing and adapting based on feedback from participants and mentors. Future plans include expanding the program to additional sites, incorporating digital art and technology, and adding job readiness workshops. The ultimate goal is to establish S.T.Y.L.E. as a scalable model that can be implemented in other communities.

2024 - July 2025

Building Options for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) 

DAY ONE TECH proudly introduces the Building Options for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) program, a pioneering initiative to provide comprehensive career training and support for teens from traditionally disempowered communities. This one-of-a-kind program is tailored for individuals exiting high school, receiving their GED, or those choosing non-traditional educational paths. It offers them a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills, find employment, and embark on a fulfilling career.

DOTS

• Holistic Career Training: BOSS is designed to address the needs of teens and young adults who may not be ready or have college access. The program offers holistic career training, focusing on building technical and soft skills essential for success in the professional world.

• Resume Building and Soft Skills Development: Participants in the YEFC program receive personalized guidance to create impactful resumes that highlight their strengths and potential. Soft skills development is a core component, empowering teens with effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management skills.

• Employer Engagement: DAY ONE TECH collaborates with current employers of program participants, establishing a solid connection between the program and the workplace. This engagement ensures that teens receive on-the-job support and their employers are informed about the program's goals, enhancing the overall success of the participants.

• Management Training Program: Recognizing the potential for career advancement, YEFC develops a unique management training program in collaboration with small business owners and franchise owners. This program provides participants a tangible pathway into management roles, focusing on leadership skills and self-management abilities.

• Capstone Projects and Job Fairs: BOSS participants engage in capstone projects, working collaboratively on initiatives that enhance their practical skills and contribute to their communities. One notable project involves organizing job fairs in partnership with local franchise owners and small businesses, creating opportunities for networking and employment within the community.

• Community Partnerships: DAY ONE TECH actively seeks partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, and franchise owners to expand the reach and impact of the YEFC program. The program aims to create a supportive ecosystem that empowers teens to thrive in their careers by fostering relationships with stakeholders.

BOSS is a transformative experience that equips teens with the tools and confidence to navigate the professional world. DAY ONE TECH is committed to breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for success, ensuring that every participant in the BOSS program can embark on their career journey with confidence and resilience. Together, we build a future where every teen has the chance to achieve their full potential.

Under Construction... 👷🏾‍♀️🚧

Under Construction... 👷🏾‍♀️🚧