Our Next Chapter: Advancing Workforce Development for an Equitable Future
First Tech Fund is stepping into a new era with a deepened investment in workforce development programming and a new name - Honor Your Dreams
New York, NY, November 5, 2025: First Tech Fund—a nonprofit that has empowered low-income NYC students to identify, navigate, and attain academic and professional opportunities since 2020—announced a strategic evolution to focus fully on workforce development and paid learning experiences for college-aged students moving away from their initial college and digital access work that they started in the 2020. Reflecting this new direction, the organization is rebranding as Honor Your Dreams, a name inspired by its core belief that economic opportunity and personal aspiration are inextricably linked.
This rebrand and programmatic shift comes at a pivotal moment for first-generation college students, who continue to face barriers to career access and advancement despite their academic success. To help close that gap, the nonprofit launched its Dual Impact Internship Program in 2023, pairing 20 students with paid, eight-week internships aligned with their career goals. Research shows that only half of first-generation college students participate in internships, compared to two-thirds of their peers, and our program is helping change that. With professional guidance and real-world experience, our interns have gone on to land roles at organizations like NYU, Microsoft, and Amazon. Since then, the organization has expanded its internship offerings by launching an Early Career Green Jobs Program in partnership with ConEdison, focused on finding, training, and placing the future leaders in the sustainability space in paid internship roles.
“As a first-generation college graduate myself, I know how powerful it is to have someone believe in your potential and invest in your future,” said Josue De Paz, Co-Founder and CEO of Honor Your Dreams. “Our rebrand and expanded workforce development programming reflect our ongoing commitment to helping first-generation and low-income students not just dream big, but also have the tools, access, and support to achieve those dreams.”
Last year’s internship program saw 95% of interns being satisfied with their experience, and 100% felt supported by organization staff. Host startups were 100% satisfied with the program. To date, we’ve paid out over $70K in internship stipends to students through this program and project to pay out another $50k by the end of 2025 through our fall program, giving out students the ability to take on internships that help cover their expenses while equipping them with the hands-on skills, confidence, and professional access they need to succeed in competitive industries long-term. A current participant, Afua shared that "this program helped me explore my passion for mental health and bridge the gap to an otherwise hard-to-access field. The experience deepened my understanding of evidence-based care, strengthened my confidence, and clarified my path toward becoming a clinical psychologist serving underrepresented communities.”
This program was initially funded and launched in collaboration with Highwind Impact Fund and Upmobility Foundation. Andrea Babinec of the organization stated, “UpMobility Foundation is a proud supporter of First Tech Fund’s mission to expand access and opportunity for underserved youth through technology and career pathways. Their passionate, innovative leadership continues to make a profound difference in the lives of the young people they serve.”
To deepen its investment in career development aligned with emerging industry growth areas, the organization launched the AI for Good Fellowship this summer, a six-week program empowering low-income college-aged youth to harness the power of artificial intelligence for social good. With a $4,000 scholarship, two fellows gained hands-on experience through a structured program that allowed them to build an AI project that addresses real-world challenges in their communities.
Among the 10 companies participating in the 2025 Dual Impact Internship Program & Green Jobs Program:
Givepact, a crypto philanthropy platform, supports nonprofits.
Kelvin, a clean energy technology company that is decarbonizing the world's legacy buildings with thermostatic radiator enclosures and hybrid electrification solutions.
Kora Insights, a social impact consulting company focused on entrepreneurial initiatives.
Kurated Kultura, an e-commerce company focused on prioritizing eco-conscious practices and uplifting brands founded by underrepresented leaders.
Libbie Health, a digital wellness company, creates inclusive mental health solutions. Libbie, an AI-powered mental health companion, delivers culturally sensitive support for those navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Mira Intel, a climate technology company leveraging drone-borne inspections for visual and thermal structural monitoring.
Multicultural Music Group, a non-profit focused on presenting history through music via integrated arts/humanities performances by living composers, scholars and musicians of color, and large and small ensembles led by Afro-Indigenous people.
Sachi Health, a healthtech company building an AI-powered hormonal health co-pilot to help women take control of their health journey.
One of our internship partners, Garrett Modeste, Account Executive at Kelvin stated, "At Kelvin, we’ve been honored to participate in First Tech Fund’s unique workforce program in support of low-income students. Every individual we’ve welcomed from their cohort has brought gratitude, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose. These qualities have added real value to our company and to the clean-energy transition within their own communities. The professionalism and readiness these students demonstrate from their very first interviews have allowed us to involve them in complex projects that foster growth and serve as a launchpad for their careers."
To support Honor Your Dreams’ work catalyzing careers for NYC low-income students, make a donation at honoryourdreams.org/donate-now or contact info@firsttechfund.com.
ABOUT HONOR YOUR DREAMS
Honor Your Dreams is a nonprofit unlocking economic mobility for low-income students through transformative workforce development, mentorship, and scholarships. We partner with leading employers and partners to connect young people with paid internships, skill-building opportunities, and capital to launch their careers, equipping them to turn dreams and ambitions into dollars and achievements. Follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.