Tech Journey Inc.

Tech Journey was founded in 2013 by two local technology professionals out of their mutual desire to get underprivileged and underrepresented Des Moines students engaged with technology and allow them to see it as a viable career option. The two individuals recognized that opportunities existed to learn about technology basics in school systems and personal pay programs, but few local in-depth opportunities existed for youth with limited resources to explore technology and engage with technology professionals. Tech Journey’s mission today is to “Inspire youth to increase their knowledge and interest in technology by providing engaging learning opportunities led by technology professionals.” This mission is accomplished through core values of providing tools and knowledge for success, opening closed doors and committing to a journey with the students, just as the Tech Journey name implies. Tech Journey’s primary programs and the scholarships it provides to students compliment one another and are intentionally designed to provide long-term engagement and mentoring from late elementary or middle school to the end of high school, resulting in maximum impact and influence with students. With Tech Camp as the flagship program, Tech Journey has expanded its reach and programming to over 240 students since its first camp of just 25 students. Tech Journey’s Board of Directors is composed of technology, human resource and operations professionals who all have an interest in STEM programming for youth. Almost 100 Des Moines-area volunteers annually give their time and talent to work with the students.

Tech Journey’s mission is carried out through it’s primary programs of CoderDojoDSM, Tech Camp and YouthCode. All three programs focus on inspiring youth to learn about and engage with technology while developing roots for central Iowa's future tech pipeline. For students in grades 8-12, Tech Camp serves as an immersive summer camp experience for over 100 youth annually. Tech Journey provides needed students with a new laptop, Google account, curriculum and access to local professionals who serve as volunteer facilitators and mentors. The YouthCode program expands reach to late elementary and middle school students by introducing them to coding and robotics through the delivery of workshops, instructional classes, camps and ad-hoc events, serving as an onramp to Tech Camp. The YouthCode program also enables employment opportunities for older students to work as program aides and gain valuable leadership experience. The CoderDojoDSM program is open to any student age 9-18 and intended for ongoing mentoring of students who want to hone their technology skills and work on projects in a less-structured, creative and social environment while maintaining interaction with Tech Journey volunteer mentors.