Creative Wellness
Initiative
Tech for Teens
E-Waste Recycling & Technology Access.
Overview
What this is for.
Tech for Teens is a technology access and sustainability initiative that addresses the digital divide by repurposing e-waste into functional tools for learning and creativity. Through partnerships and community collection efforts, discarded devices are refurbished and redistributed to students who need access to technology.
This initiative also introduces students to the lifecycle of technology: how it's built, used, recycled, and reimagined, connecting environmental awareness with digital literacy and innovation.
Strategy
What Music to the Ears actually does.
Put working devices and creative software into the hands of students who do not have them
Pair every device with instruction, so hardware does not arrive without a teacher
Run digital skills sessions in schools, libraries, and community spaces
Work with technology partners on sustained access rather than one-off donations
How students benefit
- Access to refurbished computers and creative technology tools
- Exposure to tech fundamentals, hardware, and sustainability practices
- Increased digital literacy and participation in creative and academic programs
- Pathways into technology, engineering, and innovation careers
Access + Infrastructure Initiative
“Closing the digital divide while building the next generation of tech-enabled creators.”
Visit Tech for Teens (opens in a new tab)Partner types
- Technology companies
- School districts
- Libraries
- Community organizations
- Philanthropy
Communities
- K-12 schools
- Public libraries
- Community centers
What we aim to produce
- Students able to complete creative work outside a school computer lab
- Educators supported with tools and training, not just equipment
- A repeatable device-plus-instruction model other partners can fund
These are the initiative’s stated aims. Published outcomes appear in the related stories below as they are documented.
Funding alignment
Where the funding fits.
Public funding sources this initiative aligns with. Schools and districts should confirm eligibility with their own funding office.
- Title I (Equity & Access): closing the digital divide for underserved students
- Title IV, Part A: technology, digital literacy, well-rounded education
- ELO-P (Expanded Learning): afterschool tech access and enrichment
- CTEIG (Career Technical Education Incentive Grant): IT, hardware, and tech pathways
- Perkins V: STEM/IT career readiness and equipment
- California Climate / Green Grants: sustainability and e-waste recycling initiatives
- Workforce Development (WIOA Youth): tech career exposure and job readiness
Programs inside it
What runs on the ground.
Related stories
Where you can see it.
Impact Story
Microsoft Youth Coding Lab
Making coding accessible through creativity, play, and hands-on learning.
Read the story
More initiatives
Other big ideas.
One Nation Under a Groove
Global Music & Arts Cultural Exchange.
A global cultural exchange connecting students through music, arts, and creative expression across cities, states, and countries.
Student Merch & Brand Lab
School-Based Creative Entrepreneurship.
Students design, develop, and launch official school merchandise and brand identities, turning campuses into real-world creative labs.
Project Engage LA
Civic & Community Engagement Initiative.
Empowering students to actively participate in their communities through creative projects, public service, and local partnerships.
Partner on this initiative
Join Tech for Teens.
Initiatives grow by adding partners with something specific to contribute: a workplace, a technology, a community, or funding.