Get Involved with {CodeOrlando}

ATTENTION:

Due to the Covid virus protocol, we are sad to announce that {CodeOrlando} summer 2020 program will be postponed until summer, 2021. Playmakehers camps have also been postponed. We hope you are all safe and well.

 
 

Get Involved

Our foundation is working every day to help incredibly talented students from underprivileged and underserved backgrounds not just get to college, but graduate from college and break the cycle of generational poverty once and for all. We believe that helping our students excel in science, technology, engineering and math holds the key to their success. We focus on students from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the STEM sector.
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Each year, our {CodeOrlando} program takes thirty 8th through 12th graders on an intensive STEM based journey aimed at exposing them to various branches of cutting-edge technology right in the Orlando community. They spend time visiting state-of-the-art tech companies such as EA Sports, The Naval Simulation Center and Disney, interacting with employees who may share some of their background. They visit universities to understand available technology majors and to complete hands-on labs. The code, work on team projects, interact with community leaders and complete a short internship at a technology organization.  They come away more aware and better prepared for college. We surround the students with support and services on an on-going basis.
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Our students are bright and motivated. They are often at the top of their class, despite difficult circumstances.  They are almost always the first in their families to attend college. They aspire to become doctors, engineers or even restaurant owners. They volunteer, they work, and they are engaged in their communities. What prevents them from going to college and more importantly, from completing college are often the small things that many of us take for granted.
Did you know that the college dropout rate for African-American males is around 65%? And it’s not because they aren’t capable or talented. It’s the little things: It’s lack of transportation to campus or a plane ticket home when the campus closes between semesters. It’s paying college application fees.  It’s the inability to register for classes because of an outstanding lab fee bill that they cannot pay. It’s having been raised by a grandparent who is ill and needs their support. Sometimes it’s food and clothing.
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There are many ways you can help. Check out the areas below where we always are in need of assistance. Your contribution helps us better serve each student, take on more students, and ensure that our kids don’t just get to college, they graduate!

Ways To Get Involved

  • Help arrange a field trip to your company to expose the students to your field of technology.

  • Speak to the students about your journey and challenges.

  • Volunteer on coding days to help mentor. We use Python, Unity, C++ and other languages. Students need help defining and coding projects.

Donations

  • To our food and transportation fund during the summer program. These kids need nutritious meals to keep them energized.

  • To the computing power fund. This provides laptops for students that they use for coding.

  • To our scholarship fund. Help these kids offset unmet costs.

  • To the “college prep” fund. This is used to help students with SAT and SAT prep class fees, college application fees, on-campus living expenses such as initial dorm set-up and bus fare.

  • Give airline miles. This helps us provide transportation when students attend out-of-state schools. We highly recommend they look for out-of-state college opportunities to broaden their experience and independence. Many have never been out of the Orlando area.

100% of your donation goes toward your designated area. We are happy to promote your organization through social media and in our materials.