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By Very Local Brand Studio
In Baltimore and Pittsburgh, neighborhood recreation centers once served as important hubs for STEM learning, digital literacy, and personal growth through the Rec-to-Tech initiative. Powered by the Digital Harbor Foundation and local partners, the program brought technology, mentorship, and new opportunities to young people in communities where access was often limited.
For many young people, the dream of becoming a doctor, engineer, or entrepreneur could feel out of reach. In Baltimore City, nearly 30 percent of households lacked internet access, and many schools did not offer basic computer science classes. The digital divide was real, and its impact was profound. “If you aren’t seeing the divide, it’s because you’re on the side with access,” one program leader shared. For those on the other side, life’s challenges could multiply.
Rec-to-Tech helped address that divide by equipping recreation centers with laptops, 3D printers, robotics kits, and hands-on mentorship. The program made STEM education more accessible and relevant for young people across Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Students like Mariah Wright, who had overcome a brain injury, found a sense of belonging and purpose through the program. “This place is great because it’s teaching us how we should better ourselves with education,” she said. For others, the centers provided a safe space away from the pressures of daily life—a place to learn, create, and imagine new possibilities.
The transformation was visible. Where there had once been only a handful of outdated computers, hundreds of young people explored coding, engineering, and creative problem-solving. STEM instructors such as Lark Eglin tailored projects to students’ interests, helping make learning engaging and personal. “My goal is to give them the skill of learning, not just the skill of 3D printing or coding,” Eglin explained.
Mentors and former students also reflected on the program’s impact. Many had grown up in the same neighborhoods, faced adversity, and later returned to guide the next generation. Their experiences demonstrated how access to technology, education, and mentorship could influence life trajectories and help close opportunity and wealth gaps.
Rec-to-Tech was more than a collection of STEM classes. It was an initiative designed to empower young people, expand access to technology, and strengthen communities. Its work highlighted the importance of investing in youth and creating opportunities for children to learn, build, and thrive—regardless of their ZIP code.
Although the Rec-to-Tech initiative is no longer active, its impact offers a lasting example of how community partnerships and access to technology can help shape brighter futures. To learn more about the Digital Harbor Foundation and its work visit https://digitalharbor.org/.

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