TouchUp Inc. is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital divide and dismantling recidivism barriers by bringing industry-standard tech training, creative digital arts, and real career mentorship directly to young people.
OUR STORY
TouchUp Inc. was founded in 2017 by Caryn Brandon, after personal encounters with the justice system illuminated how easily a single misstep can obscure a young person’s extraordinary creative genius and potential.
Rather than generic lectures, Caryn built a program grounded in real tools: high-end laptops, game engines, film suites, and robotics gear. We invite working engineers and digital artists straight from Hollywood, Silicon Beach, and civic agencies into the classroom.
“Talent is distributed equally across every zip code, but opportunity is not. TouchUp exists to close that gap and make tech careers tangible, accessible, and permanent.”
OUR SIGNATURE MODEL
We do not create a lesser curriculum for justice-involved participants. We bring the exact same industry standard to both settings.
Setting 1
Multi-day immersive technology summits held at South LA neighborhood centers, such as the Douglas Dollarhide Community Center in Compton and Children’s Institute in Watts. Open to all neighborhood youth, justice-involved young adults, and aspiring creators.
Setting 2
Bringing state-of-the-art technology education directly behind the walls of LA County juvenile facilities (e.g. Los Padrinos, Central Juvenile Hall, Camp Kilpatrick) for young people who cannot yet leave.
PowerUp LA Umbrella
Every program track is practical, portfolio-driven, and taught by professionals currently working in the field.
Led by developers from studios like Askiisoft. Students learn sprite animation, interactive mechanics, level architecture, and coding logic in real-time game engines.
Instructor: Jason (Askiisoft)
Taught in partnership with USC digital media faculty. Covers cinematic sequencing, sound design, DaVinci Resolve / Premiere workflows, and digital storytelling.
Instructor: Avi Glick (USC)
Physical computing, sensor wiring, microcontrollers, 3D rapid prototyping, and engineering logic with The Maker’s Hub and SmarterHelp mentors.
Maker’s Hub & SmarterHelp
Demystifying machine learning, generative AI tools, prompt architecture, ethical AI guidelines, and leveraging AI for coding, writing, and graphic art.
AI Learning Track
In partnership with Genfinity Cyber Academy. Youth learn ethical hacking principles, password cryptography, web exploit mitigation, and SOC tier-1 basics.
Genfinity Academy
Celebratory showcase where students present their finished games, films, and code to industry judges, winning cash prizes, hardware, and internship slots.
Annual Showcase
LEADERSHIP & TEAM
Passionate advocates, experienced educators, and technology leaders uniting communities.
Executive Director
Caryn leads TouchUp Inc. and its mission to bring hands-on tech training, industry exposure, and career pathways directly to youth across LA County.
Manages brand collaborations, corporate sponsorships, equipment donations, and multi-facility partnership integration for PowerUp LA.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
Dedicated community leaders, juvenile hall navigators, and alumni teaching assistants supporting youth every step of the journey.
GOVERNANCE & OVERSIGHT
Committed leaders from local government, education, law, and major technology studios providing strategic guidance.
Advising on juvenile justice reform, county agency contracts, and restorative justice policies.
Guiding curriculum alignment with hiring demands in Silicon Beach and gaming studios.
Connecting Compton Unified and Los Angeles school districts with afterschool STEM pipelines.
Ensuring student rights, privacy compliance, and restorative transition support for justice-involved youth.
PARTNERSHIP TIERS
TouchUp sponsorships fund hands-on technology training, equipment, laptops, and career pathways for underserved youth across Los Angeles.
Annual Signature
Full program year · All five signature programs · Highest naming rights
Multi-Event Presence
4 programs of choice · Category exclusivity · Maximum presence
Premier Engagement
2 programs of choice · Premier brand presence · Deep community impact
Category exclusivity for single signature event.
High-impact brand exposure with targeted engagement.
Elevated visibility and program-level recognition.
Brand visibility and meaningful community presence.
Contact Director of Partnerships Ellen at ellen@touchuptech.org or call (323) 380-2880.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Children’s Institute Watts Campus. Registration is 100% Free!
“I watched my son disappear into a system that saw him as a statistic, not a person,” Caryn reflects. “And I knew he wasn’t alone. There were thousands of young people in communities like Compton who needed someone to believe in them, to invest in them, and to show them a different path forward.”
That pain became purpose in 2017 when Caryn founded TouchUp Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing technology education and workforce development for underserved and at-risk youth. Drawing on her background in psychology, she understood that transformation requires more than just skills training—it demands holistic support, mentorship, and genuine human connection.
Caryn chose to focus on Compton deliberately. While many saw a community defined by its challenges, she saw untapped potential and a critical need for rebranding and opportunity creation. “Compton has been written off by too many people for too long,” she explains. “But this community is full of brilliant young people who just need someone to invest in their potential. Closing the digital divide isn’t just about technology—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and belief.”
Under Caryn’s leadership, TouchUp Inc has achieved remarkable outcomes that reflect her personal commitment to redemption and second chances. The organization’s work with probation-involved youth has resulted in zero recidivism during 12-month follow-up—a testament to what happens when young people receive comprehensive support rather than condemnation. Her coding program at Job Corps Los Angeles achieved a 78% completion rate, with 60% of graduates pursuing additional technology education.
Today, Caryn serves as CEO of TouchUp Inc while working as a financial controller, bringing financial expertise and community connections to both roles.
For Caryn, this work is not just a professional calling—it is deeply personal mission. “Every young person we serve reminds me of my son,” she says. “They deserve the same thing every parent wants for their child: a real chance to build a meaningful life. That’s what we’re creating at TouchUp Inc—not just training programs, but genuine pathways from incarceration to innovation, from poverty to possibility.”
Her message to funders and partners is simple but powerful: “When you invest in TouchUp Inc, you’re not funding a program. You’re investing in redemption, in second chances, and in the belief that every young person—no matter their circumstances—deserves the opportunity to thrive.”