CASE STUDY

WELD SEATTLE

“Your services allowed us to stand up a computer lab. That lab is now an access point for people like us to get familiar with the world. The work you did was above and beyond—and really kind,”

Kareem Brantley, Director, Operations

The Challenge

A building with a vehicle parked in front

Weld Seattle Infrastrucural Issues

Weld Seattle, a nonprofit based in Seattle, is on a bold mission: to support system-impacted individuals, those affected by incarceration, homelessness, and addiction, with housing, employment, and resources for recovery and reintegration. It’s a mission rooted in addressing deeply embedded systemic issues: racism, economic inequality, underfunded education, and generational trauma.

“Our work touches so many systemic problems,” shared Kareem Brantley, Weld’s Director of Strategic Operations. “We deal with language barriers, trauma, and cultures of violence. Reintegration means everything from reuniting with family to securing housing and building life skills.”

Peer support is the cornerstone of Weld’s approach. Staff members have walked the same road as their participants. “We’re not just teaching—we’re relating,” said Brantley. “We are run by people like us. FUBU—‘for us, by us,’ not ‘about us, without us.’”

But despite the strength of its model and its community, Weld faced a serious operational hurdle. Their new collaborative resource center at 1426 South Jackson Street, generously donated by the founders of Zillow, Expedia, and Glassdoor, lacked the foundational technology needed to function. There was no wired network infrastructure, and the unreliable wireless connectivity was holding the organization back.

Without strong connectivity, Weld couldn’t reliably run coordination calls, communicate with partners, or support digital training programs. The building simply wasn’t equipped to meet the demands of Weld’s mission.

  • Weld Seattle supports individuals impacted by incarceration, homelessness, and addiction, addressing root causes like systemic racism, economic inequality, and trauma. Their mission requires a peer-led, holistic approach to reintegration.

  • Successful reintegration involves life skills, digital literacy, employment readiness, and emotional support. Weld provides this through relatable, one-on-one guidance from staff who’ve shared similar life experiences.

  • Weld’s new resource center lacked reliable internet and wired infrastructure, critically limiting their ability to deliver services. This technical shortfall directly threatened their ability to fulfill their mission at a new, donated location.

The Solution

EXP Technical Leads The Way

After touring the facility, Mike Cook, Principal at EXP Technical, recognized the urgency of the situation, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

“I was touched by Weld’s work,” said Cook. “These are members of our community. Once people have paid their debt to society, we need to support them on their journey back.”

With a deep-rooted commitment to community impact, EXP Technical—an IT services firm based in downtown Seattle—stepped up. The team designed and implemented a complete network infrastructure overhaul for Weld’s 1426 location.

EXP Technical provided:

  • New network cabling throughout the building

  • Enterprise-grade switching infrastructure

  • Modern wireless access points for reliable connectivity

  • 100% donation of labor for the implementation

Interface Technologies Northwest joined the initiative by donating hardware and offering discounted labor for low-voltage cable runs, reflecting a shared spirit of rehabilitation and community investment.

The solution didn’t just meet the need, it transformed Weld Seattle’s operational capabilities.

IT Infrastructure Support
Project Management
Collaborative Execution

The Results

Weld director of operations

Weld Seattle Experiences the EXP Technical Difference

The impact of the new infrastructure was immediate and profound.

Improved Communication:
Reliable connectivity led to fewer dropped calls, smoother coordination, and stronger communication with funders, grantors, and stakeholders.

Enhanced Security:
New infrastructure supported the installation of security cameras, creating a safer environment for staff and visitors.

Launch of a Computer Lab:
Most significantly, Weld was able to launch a fully functional computer lab, something previously out of reach. This lab now powers a wide range of digital literacy programs including:

  • AI-supported adult literacy

  • Resume building and job readiness

  • Prompt engineering and SEO training

  • Digital life skills to support everyday success

Weld’s peer-led training is now amplified by reliable technology, helping individuals bridge the digital divide and envision brighter futures.

“We’re working with people who haven’t touched a computer in decades,” Brantley shared. “One of our members went away 27 years ago. When he came back, it wasn’t just about adjusting—it was about learning an entirely new world.”

Another member’s milestone: building his first resume. What seems simple to many was once impossible due to lack of access and skills—until now.

These individual victories underscore the true value of the collaboration.

Recognized Impact

Weld’s work with EXP Technical hasn’t gone unnoticed. Representatives from King County Government have praised Weld’s innovative approach and commitment to digital empowerment. The organization is now viewed as a model for peer-led reentry and reintegration. “Your services allowed us to stand up a computer lab. That lab is now an access point for people like us to get familiar with the world. The work you did was above and beyond—and really kind,” Brantley emphasized.