We teach technology for free to at-risk youth in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, starting with kids whose families can't pay for classes. Adults who want a little guidance getting into IT have a place here too. A new nonprofit, run by a founder and a board who are building the programs now.
Youth come first. That's where we're starting and where most of our energy goes. But plenty of adults in this city want to get into IT and don't know where to begin, and we're building for them too.
Free classes for at-risk youth in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, from early elementary through young adulthood. Small groups, hands-on work, and skills they can actually use. Our first program teaches kids to use AI safely by catching it being wrong.
Maybe you're changing careers, coming back to work, or just tired of guessing. We're putting together plain-language training and guidance for adults who want a start in IT: the basics, the certifications worth chasing, and what the first job actually looks like.
Your gift goes to the whole mission, youth and adults, not to one program. It pays for laptops, space, and the people in the room. Every dollar is tax deductible.
NextGen Tech Youth Foundation is new. We build free tech programs for at-risk youth in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, and for adults who want a little guidance getting into IT. It started with one thing the founder kept seeing: kids who are good at this stuff and never get a computer in front of them with someone to show them how it works.
The programs are still being built by the founder and a board who care about this mission. The first one gets its home test in early 2027 with the founder's own kids, then a first group with a community partner. Nothing has run yet. We'll post updates here as things come together.
More about usTeach technology for free to at-risk youth in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, and give adults who want to get into IT a place to start.
A city where your zip code, or your age, doesn't decide whether you get to learn tech.
Free to everyone we serve, small classes, real skills people can use.
Nothing to report yet. Our first home test starts in the first quarter of 2027, and we'll share what happens.
Add your name to the interest list so we know how many families to plan for. It doesn't commit you to anything.
"Plenty of kids in this city are good at this stuff. They just never get a computer in front of them with somebody to show them how it works. That's the part we can fix."
Travis Thomas, FounderFive free programs, youth first. The first one is furthest along. The names below are working titles and may change as the programs take shape.
An 8-week program where Philadelphia kids ages 9 to 11 learn to use AI by trying to catch it being wrong. Every session runs the same five steps: Think, Ask Nova, Verify, Build, Explain. Kids keep a Catch Log, build the Philly Kids' Fact Book, and finish as a Certified Bot Catcher, Level 1. Free to families.
See the programAges 8 to 11. Six Saturdays, Scratch, a first game. Target early 2027.
In developmentCoding classes for ages 16 to 24. Still being built.
In developmentCybersecurity basics for ages 16 to 24. Still being built.
In developmentIT support skills for ages 16 to 24. Still being built.
In developmentThree ways to help the first cohort happen.
Gifts pay for laptops, printed Fact Books, snacks, and certificates for the first cohort.
DonateWork in tech? Help run a session. We hand you the plan, you bring what you know.
VolunteerCompanies and community groups can help with space, referrals, or sponsorship.
Partner with us