Jack Marren, 25, first heard about the Oak Studio Teen Tech Center through Momentum, a free art program for individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions. Music drew him in. “I write songs, and I had always wanted to record my music,” Jack says. Since discovering the Teen Tech Center, he’s recorded “pretty much all” of the songs he has written, at least five in total, though his creativity has expanded well beyond music. Jack says he’s been “utilizing the laser cutter to incorporate different designs that I otherwise normally wouldn’t into my art,” cutting things like flames and electric guitars. He has also explored artificial intelligence as a creative tool, using it to refine his song lyrics and his visual art.

Spencer Gift, 20, found his way to the Teen Tech Center through the same Momentum connection as Jack. His introduction came in a more unexpected moment: “[Emma from Momentum] saw me drawing lightsabers on my sketchbook, and she informed me about Teen Tech.” His first visit left a lasting impression. “I went down here for the first time, and I was amazed when I first saw it. I was completely speechless. And right off the bat, I felt like this was a good place for me to be at,” he says. A shared passion helped seal the deal: Spencer bonded with Teen Tech Center Coordinator Derek Frank over being Star Wars fans, and Derek helped him discover tools like Tinkercad for 3D design. Spencer has since built “a full-on collection of lightsabers on Tinkercad,” 11 total, and has taken those skills home, running the program on his own laptop. 

For both Jack and Spencer, the Teen Tech Center has been far more than a workspace. Jack says the environment speaks for itself: “Just how cool this place is and how cool the people are,” is what he would tell anyone curious about coming. When asked if it felt like a place where he could truly be himself, his answer was clear: “Yes. Extremely, yes.” Spencer echoes that sentiment, crediting Derek specifically: “He has given me purpose here at Teen Tech, from learning to use the 3D printer, to making lightsabers, to painting, to actually making shirts, believe it or not.” Reflecting on his full experience, Spencer says: “Both my experiences at Momentum and Teen Tech have helped me grow into the person I am today.”