Building Tech Careers.
Restoring Community Potential.
A 100% tuition-free, 12-month hardware engineering & networking course in Arlington, Texas, bridging the digital opportunity gap for ambitious young adults in poverty-prone areas.
- Next Cohort Application Deadline
- November 30, 2026
- Cohort Start Date
- January 2027
- Location
- George W. Hawkes Downtown Library (reBrary Rooms), 100 S Center St, Arlington, TX 76010
Hearts and Hardware empowers underserved young adults in poverty-prone areas of North Texas through supportive, tuition-free technical vocational training. By mastering enterprise hardware diagnostics, network engineering, and corporate readiness, our students bridge the digital opportunity divide, earn industry certifications, and are primed to secure entry-level tech careers.
What Every Student Receives
A high-touch model engineered for real-world certification and career placement.
Build & Keep Your Workstation
Every student diagnoses, builds, and restores enterprise hardware during hands-on lab sessions.
100% Sponsored Certifications
Full funding and exam vouchers for industry-recognized certifications needed for immediate job placement.
Elite Engineering Mentors
Direct instruction from active L2–L5 Data Center Technicians, Telecom Engineers, and Aerospace coaches from top tech firms.
Civic Lab Infrastructure
Labs held at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library reBrary rooms, equipped with high-speed enterprise Wi-Fi and diagnostic benches.
1-on-1 Career Placement
Executive mock interviews, professional resume building, and potential pathways to local enterprise data centers and IT hubs.
Zero Tuition Barrier
Completely free of charge for enrolled students, funded through philanthropic grants and corporate community equity funds.
12-Month Technical Roadmap
From foundational hardware diagnostics to enterprise network skills.
Hardware Architecture
- Motherboard & memory teardowns
- Power delivery & thermal diagnostics
- Linux deployment
- Student server restoration lab
Network Infrastructure
- IPv4 & IPv6 enterprise subnetting
- Switch & router configuration
- Cabling, racks, & patch panels
Security & Advanced Labs
- Firewalls & access control lists
- Enterprise security protocols
- Server diagnostics & recovery
Corporate Integration
- Technical resume polish
- Mock panel interviews
- A visit to an industry-leading data center for every student
- Potential IT job placement
Taught by Industry Professionals
Experienced engineers and educators bring real-world enterprise standards to every lab.
Tracey Keyser
20+ years of regional community outreach and state-level grant management experience.
Ivory James
Dual Master's in Education; specializes in adaptive instructional design and KPI metrics.
Chris Ballat
Enterprise Data Center Services (DCS) L2 Technician with 8+ years of infrastructure experience.
Abdul Kokayi
Telecommunications Engineer with 7+ years of wireless and RF experience at T-Mobile.
Community-Anchored Facilities
Utilizing premier civic spaces in Arlington, Texas to maximize resources for students.
George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
Operational & Lab Headquarters
100 S Center St, Arlington, TX 76010Labs are held in the library's high-tech reBrary rooms, equipped with enterprise connectivity, interactive displays, and diagnostic bench space.
Get Involved
Whether you are a future technician, a donor, or an industry professional, there is a place for you at Hearts and Hardware.
Join the January 2027 Cohort
Applications are due November 30, 2026, and classes begin January 2027 at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. No prior IT experience required.
Apply for CohortFund a Student's Future
Your tax-deductible gift covers certification exam vouchers, lab hardware, and career coaching for students at zero cost to them.
Donate / Support UsShare Your Expertise
IT, data center, telecom, and engineering professionals can volunteer as lab mentors, guest speakers, or mock interviewers.
Become a MentorEvery Dollar Builds a Career
Hearts and Hardware is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program. Gifts are tax-deductible and go directly toward free training, certifications, and equipment for students.