Summary
Organization name
Colorado Futuretek Inc.
other names
CFTEK
2010
Tax id (EIN)
27-3722434
Category
Science & Technology
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
P.O. Box 7159Denver, CO 80207
Denver County, CO, US
About
Background
We help African American and underrepresented minority students and senior citizens bridge the "Digital Divide". Help us provide computer/IT training and college/career readiness for high school and middle school students, and basic computer training and smartphone assistance for senior citizens
Testimonials
What our SummerTEK alumni are saying:
Barrington Black II (SummerTEK 2019) - Senior, Green Valley Ranch H.S.I participated in SummerTEK 2019. I really enjoyed the program. I learned a lot about networking and the instructors were great. I also enjoyed meeting and working with other students and the field trips to Microsoft.
Blake Buchanan (SummerTEK 2019) - Sophomore, Strive Prep Rise H.S.My experience at SummerTEK was really informative. I was working with the Cisco Packet Tracer application to learn about networking, and the month that I have been doing so, it has taught me a lot about it.
Kolin Truesdale (SummerTEK 2019) - Sophomore, DSST Conservatory Green H.S.The program was a great experience because I was able to connect with other people and work together as a team. I enjoy meeting new people because knowing there is a group of people that want to learn about technology and be able to help others with their knowledge is an amazing thing. Also having a group that was diverse brings more people together. I was thankful for the opportunity to work with new people and start a connection. SummerTEK has made me a better person and has prepared me for years to come.
Kinara Young (SummerTEK 2019) - Junior, Thomas Jefferson H.S.I really enjoyed meeting new people. The trips to the Microsoft store were very interesting. It was cool to come up with business pitches. I was able to learn many new things while with Colorado Futuretek. They provided a warm, welcoming environment.
Matthew Coleman (SummerTEK 2018) - Junior, Northglenn H.S.SummerTek was a wonderful experience that I'm glad I participated in. From SummerTEK, I have received experience in networking, the extremely valuable resource of Cisco classes, and also some experience in creating a business. Another big highlight for me was the instructor, Mr. Shellman. Not only was he very knowledgeable and great at teaching, but he is also very energetic and funny making sure that there was never a dull or boring lesson. I also loved my fellow classmates from SummerTEK. Throughout the entire program, I was always driven to perform well, in order get good grades, and it was so fulfilling for all of that hard work to be rewarded with my very own laptop. Overall I loved my experience and I couldn't think of a better way I could have spent my summer.
Jessica Eyeson (SummerTEK 2018) - Senior, Monarch H.S.I had a wonderful experience in the SummerTEK program. My favorite part of the program is how hard Mr and Mrs. Fontenot work to connect students with different opportunities in and out of Colorado Futuretek. I have participated in four paid internships and tutoring positions with Colorado Futuretek teaching technology to students ranging from middle school to senior citizens. The skills I learned from SummerTEK have also helped me in other areas such as the research opportunity I have in a psychology and neuroscience lab at the University of Colorado Boulder through my school. I am grateful for the doors the program continues to open for me.
Christian Glassiognon (SummerTEK 2016) - Freshman, University of Colorado, Boulder.When I first joined Colorado Futuretek through SummerTEK, I was interested in learning more about computers and was excited to receive my computer. However, once I truly understood the program, I loved the fact that I was constantly presented with more challenges and opportunities. I loved that I had the opportunity to build a newsletter website for the students, I loved being able to teach the seniors, having my first internship come as a result of CFTEK has helped shaped my life today.
Sydney Young (SummerTEK 2016) -2021 Graduate, B.S. Computer Science, University of Denver. I enjoyed this program up to the very last day. I enjoyed the challenge everyday that was incorporated into all of the assignments we did. This was one of the programs that helped me down the pathway into majoring in computer science. The teachers assist you in learning and completing the assignments which is helpful in such a hands-on program.
Elizabeth Eyeson (SummerTEK 2015) -Sophomore, Computer Science major, University of Colorado, BoulderIn the past 5 years I have been involved with Colorado Futuretek, I have been blessed with many opportunities to learn and grow within the STEM discipline. From being a SummerTek Student and Intern to tutoring for SilverTek and interning in RTD's IT Department, Colorado Futuretek has enabled me to explore a variety of computing-related fields in addition to gaining real-world experience...
Mission
To provide enrichment training and resources to help African American and other underrepresented minority youth obtain marketable skills in the IT and computer industry and support them in developing interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills. To elevate senior citizens by providing basic computer and smartphone training and assistance to increase their knowledge and comfort with technology.
Background Statement
Since our establishment in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, Colorado Futuretek has continued to pursue our mission to provide enrichment training and resources to help African American and other underrepresented minority youth obtain marketable skills in the IT and computer industry and support them in developing interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills. In this regard, we have established a set of successful, ongoing programs that are practical and positive ways to help these students become productive citizens who will help fill the widely recognized need for technically trained professionals over the next decade.
Starting in 2013, we expanded our mission to include serving senior citizens by providing basic computer and smartphone training and assistance to increase their knowledge and comfort with technology.
Our vision is to help African American and other underrepresented minority students and senior citizens bridge the "Digital Divide". Our programs help to prepare students for college and for meaningful jobs and careers.
Our training courses include SummerTEK for high school students, STEAM programs for middle school students, and basic computer training and smartphone assistance for senior citizens. We also collaborate with industry professionals to provide financial literacy and college and career readiness programs.
SummerTEK is a tuition-free opportunity for underrepresented minority high school students to explore rewarding careers and acquire valuable technology and problem-solving skills in a supportive and user-friendly environment. Colorado Futuretek is a local Cisco Networking Academy and our SummerTEK classes are taught by engineers and industry professionals using the Academy's highly effective curriculum. In SummerTEK, we offer the following Cisco Networking Academy courses: Introduction to Networks, Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT), Introduction to Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship. These courses can be the first step toward industry recognized certifications and can open the door to internships and future career opportunities in areas of high job growth.
Our middle school STEM programs are taught by professional instructors with the assistance of a team of our trained high school students. Our senior citizen programs are also taught by professional instructors with our team of trained high school students providing 1-on-1 tutoring to the senior citizens. Our senior citizen programs are a win-win, providing valuable technology assistance to senior citizens and a paid work opportunity for our high school student tutors. All of our programs are offered tuition-free.
In addition to training, Colorado Futuretek works to match students who excel in our training programs with paid internships at large and small businesses in the Information Technology and Computer industries and with other professional businesses and community organizations. Companies that participate by providing internship positions benefit by gaining early exposure to potential future employees who are already familiar with their work environment. Colorado Futuretek subsidizes the student stipends for our interns at small businesses.
Please see our website https://www.cftek.org for more information on all of our programs.
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Organization Data
Denver, CO 80207