Help us expand ChiTech's successful curriculum to more students in Chicagoland!

Yes they can [with just some help from us] A letter from ChiTech Valedictorian

Hello (Donor Name)

Today I am passing along a letter written by Chicago Tech Academy's 2013 Valedictorian, Keautishay Young, in regards to our 2016 Spring Campaign. I was incredibly moved and motivated by this note, as I am sure you will be too. Please consider making a donation to our fundraiser today, by clicking the links in this letter you will be showing support to not only Keautishay but our entire 2016-2017 enrollment. Please see below.

I was a dreamer. I dreamt that one day, I could become a thriving and successful woman in a technology-related field. Today, that dream is a reality.

ChiTech Academy provided me with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to make this dream a reality. My four years at ChiTech, working with a community of business leaders, mentors, volunteers, faculty and staff, taught me how to believe in myself and to be proud of who I am – a young, intelligent, innovative woman who is in charge of her destiny.

As the Valedictorian of the Class of 2013, I was a member of the first graduating class from ChiTech, which was founded in 2009 to overcome the gaps that exist in education and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers. ChiTech's curriculum is unique and incorporates project based learning, access to industry mentors, and pre-college internships with innovative tech and business organizations. To learn more about the program and its offerings you can visit www.chitech.org

The 2016-2017 school year will be full of many firsts for ChiTech, thanks to the support it has received from dedicated partners like you. The school will open its doors in the fall to 300+ young women and men ready to explore tech and entrepreneurship learning! In addition, the school will have 200 junior and senior students on track for graduation. If you've been following the news, you know that these accomplishments for a diverse, city, public school are worth boasting!

It is my turn to give back to the community that gave to me. I may not have entered my peak earning years yet, so giving a large donation isn't an option for me. However, I know that by helping to spread the word about ChiTech, it's mission, and its unique way of helping to break the cycle of poverty I can compel others to help me make a difference!

Your contributions will directly support our students and our learning initiatives. In true ChiTech style, our students are privy to field trips to universities, tech start-up companies and fortune 500 companies. We work one on one with mentors (a program we are hoping to grow this year) and each senior is required to participate in a month long internship outside of the school. As our program grows, we hope that our internship program will too! Just imagine the difference it would make if every student 9th-12th grade could participate in an internship before their first day of college! Our unique curriculum offers courses including tech certifications, programming languages, web design, entrepreneurship and engineering.

The future of ChiTech and its students is bright! It is truly amazing to be able to come back to the school, give back and get involved. Without the support of the ChiTech community, I would not be in a position to champion your support today. I am asking you to join me and the broader Chicago community in supporting ChiTech and its truly unique programs that unlock doors for deserving young women and men.

Please consider making a donation today. (insert your fundraiser link here)

Thank you,

Keautishay Young '13

NorthWest Missouri State University

Major: Interactive Digital Media: Computer Science

(Fundraiser Name)

I just started a fundraiser for chi-tech-academy! Help us pave the way for equal opportunity in the tech field. #ChiTech

Thank YOU for your generosity!

Hi [Donor Name],

Thank you so much for your generous gift to Chicago Tech Academy.

Because of caring supports like you, we will be able to provide more students with tech related programs and opportunities to be successful in college, careers and life beyond. You are not only helping me to reach my fundraising goal, but you are making a real difference for the students of ChiTech.

This is such a worthy cause and I am proud that we are on the same team. I will keep you posted on our progress. In the meantime, I recommend that you check out Chicago Tech Academy. They're doing great work.

Thanks again for your donation!

You're amazing--making a difference. Thanks to all who donated to my fundraiser so far!