| | | Along with the longer days and bright sunshine, summer provides a critical time for Tech Foundry’s team to “double down” on collaboration, evaluate our operations at the mid-point of the year and prepare to welcome our new students in the Fall. |
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This summer has been especially exciting, as we: Graduated our largest cohort of students (with an 88% graduation rate and 33% already hired in tech jobs!) Finished our strategic plan for 2026-2029 Hired two new staff And are wrapping up final planning for our new Tech Bridge program for recent high school graduates from our Gateway Cities.
Despite all the positive momentum, unfortunately not everything is in the “plus column” this summer. We have recently learned that federal monies, which would have funded the continuation of Tech Hub Holyoke’s services had been rescinded by the Trump administration. Since its founding in October of 2023, Tech Hub Holyoke has had more than 4,000 “participant interactions” serving people throughout Western MA with training, tech support and repair and device distribution. Our team remains committed to this program, however, and is diligently working to identify funding. In the meantime, we are temporarily scaling back services. The new schedule can be found later in the newsletter.
However, I am pleased to share that Tech Foundry remains a place of positivity. Our team is consistently struck by the good will, collaborative spirit and opportunities which pervade our region – providing hope and optimism for the future. And, of course, the stories of our students consistently inspire us, while Tech Hub participants and partners throughout Western MA continue to highlight the importance and impact of digital literacy work. Finally, our incredible staff, supported by our board of directors and advisory board, continue to strive to help residents while contributing to a stronger, more inclusive economy for all.
Interested in “seeing us in action?” Please reach out to me at tricia@thetechfoundry.org and we’ll schedule a time for you to visit Tech Foundry, meet our staff and students and witness the impact of our work, and your partnership.
Thank you for your support. During these challenging times, it is more important than ever.
With gratitude and appreciation, |
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Tech Foundry is growing, building a strong team to increase our impact in the community and launching our first new training program in several years. Read on for more details!
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Tech Foundry is excited to share news of our new program! Tech Bridge will serve recent graduates of Springfield area high schools who are seeking a robust post-graduation pathway. The program will focus on students who are in good standing and demonstrate strong interest and readiness for career-connected learning. Many of the Tech Hub enrollees will be first-generation students facing systemic barriers to economic mobility, including limited access to career exposure, industry-recognized credentials, and employment networks. By focusing on this overlooked postsecondary population, Tech Bridge aims to bridge the gap between high school and sustainable, skill-based employment in sectors such as low-voltage systems, IT, and advanced manufacturing – or college – or both college AND career! The program is still taking applications! Candidates can apply at Tech Foundry's Tech Bridge – Tech Foundry. To learn more please contact Tech Bridge Director Keshia Maxwell (Keshia@thetechfoundry.org).
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| Keshia is Tech Foundry’s new Tech Bridge Director. In her role, Keshia will develop and implement the Tech Bridge program, including management of staff, daily operations, program design and activities. Keshia is a proud Springfield native and graduate of the Springfield Public Schools. An experienced educator, Keshia also brings 14 years of military service, including international humanitarian program management in Dakar, Senegal, where she served as a U.S. Army Bilateral Affairs Officer. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Japanese Language/Literature and English from UMass Amherst, and a master’s in education from Springfield College. |
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| | | Noella was hired as Tech Foundry’s new Director of Engagement where she will spearhead new donor development in addition to amplifying donor, funder, and partner engagement, cultivation, communications and relationship management. Born in Tanzania and having lived in eight countries, she brings a global perspective to her career in workforce development, including roles as an executive director and head of programs across multiple countries. She holds a master’s degree in clinical science & immunology from the University of Cape Town and has completed a course in exponential fundraising at the Harvard Kennedy School. |
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| | Axel joined the Tech Foundry team as a digital fellow serving at Tech Hub Springfield. Axel was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. 10 years ago. He currently resides in Springfield with his family. "To serve the community is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I am determined to excel at it!" Axel is serving at the Springfield Tech Hub and offers workshops in Spanish. |
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| | | Woodlifton has served as a digital fellow at the Tech Hub in Holyoke. He is from Haiti where he studied Business Management and is currently enrolled in the engineering program at STCC. "I am looking forward to expanding my IT skills, supporting others, and contributing to meaningful projects." Woodlifton has moved to the Springfield Tech Hub to finish out his fellowship and continue teaching workshops in Haitian Creole. |
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| | Iman joined the Tech Foundry team as the organization’s new office manager. She graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and women, gender, and sexuality studies. She has worked as a Research Assistant in the political science department at GW, collecting data on government elections for gerrymandering research. She previously interned for the United Nations Association of Greater Boston, helping facilitate their Model UN program and conferences. |
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On June 18th, Tech Foundry graduated its Spring 2025 cohort of students at the Community Music School of Springfield’s Newhouse Hall. Student representatives, Jacob Galarza and Reilly Lepak, spoke about the unwavering support of the Tech Foundry staff and the importance of following your professional passion. Keynote speaker Jennifer McNeill, Senior Program Officer for Education and Economic Mobility at the Community Foundation of Western MA, remarked on the impact of continuing to build relationships and foster community engagement post-graduation.
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| Tech Hub Holyoke will be reducing its hours of operations starting August 4th. Tech Hub staff will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-2pm. Free tech classes will continue to be offered at noon on these days and 1-on-1 tech support will be available before and after class. |
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| The Tech Foundry team hosted an open house at our new headquarters on April 30th. It was a fantastic evening of community building and networking in our beautiful new office space, including hands-on training opportunities and tours of our new digital literacy Tech Hub. Dan Glanville, Vice President, Government Affairs and Community Impact at Comcast spoke along with our very own CEO Tricia Canavan and Tech Hub Manager Juan Torres. We are grateful to Comcast for sponsoring the event and for their ongoing support of our mission. |
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Tech Foundry is so grateful for the generous support we’ve received from funders and donors over the spring and early summer. |
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| M&T Bank Amplify Fund
We are thrilled to announce that Tech Foundry was awarded a 3-year, $275,000 M&T Bank Charitable Foundation grant. The Amplify Fund provides funding to community-based organizations like Tech Foundry that have a track record and purpose to increase equity through mission-driven and capacity-building work in the community. Thank you, M&T Bank, for your support!
For more information on the Amplify Fund, including the full list of grant recipients in New England and Metro New York, please visit the Amplify Fund website. |
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Amelia Peabody Foundation
Tech Foundry is grateful to the Amelia Peabody Foundation for their continued support of our programs.
After a competitive grant round in early 2025, Tech Foundry was awarded $75,000.00 for its Strengthening Communities by Supporting Career Pathways in IT and Digital Equity application. The foundation acknowledged that this is a challenging time for the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors and that they are seeing an increase in demand for funding. In an email from the foundation, they asserted: “We remain committed to doing what we can with our philanthropic resources to support children and families in the Commonwealth."
To learn more about the Amelia Peabody Foundation, please visit https://ameliapeabody.org |
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| MGM Resorts International and MGM Reports Foundation
We are grateful to these MGM philanthropic entities for their partnership.
Tech Foundry received two separate grants from MGM": a $5,000 grant for Strengthening Communities by Supporting Career Pathways in IT and Increasing Digital Equity and the other a $30,0000 grant for Strengthening Communities through Workforce Development and Education in IT Career Pathways from MGM Resorts International.
In addition, MGM Springfield donated computers and furniture to Tech Foundry in March. The PCs were distributed throughout the community to support local schools, libraries, and community centers, empowering individuals with essential resources. |
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| Boost Fund for Students
Thank you to everyone who gave to Tech Foundry through the Boost Fund for Students Campaign, a grassroots volunteer organization focused on supporting education initiatives. This effort raised $1,360 to help pay the certification exam fees and purchase exam preparation study materials for students in the Tech Foundry 2025 Spring cohort. Six graduates earned scholarships for CompTIA certification exam prep materials and exam fees, including Theron Holler, Riley Lepak, Lauren Bailey, Cody Oxley, Axel Nieves and Isaiah Reign.
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| PeoplesBank
We are thankful for PeoplesBank’s continued partnership. They consistently “go above and beyond” to support Tech Foundry’s programs. In 2023, we received a 3-year PeoplesBank Community Care Capital Campaign grant totaling $30,000 to support our programs. In addition, we were notified twice in the past fiscal year that PeoplesBank employees selected Tech Foundry as the recipient of their 2024 and 2025 Workplace Giving Campaigns, with gifts totaling nearly $8,000.
PeoplesBank's belief in Tech Foundry's mission extends beyond the critical financial support, to encompass both volunteerism and internship support. Xiaolei Hua, First Vice President Commercial Lending, serves as a board member and provides valuable insight as a member of our Finance Committee. In addition, PeoplesBank is a generous employer partner, hosting two interns to support IT help desk needs over the summer - and hiring both of them at the conclusion of their internships.
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As always, we love to hear from you! Please reach out to Tricia Canavan, CEO at tricia@thetechfoundry.org or Noella Moshi, Director of Engagement, at noella@thetechfoundry.org to find out more about our programs, schedule a visit to meet our team and observe class, or to get more involved.
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