Code Your Dreams

?? Mentors Needed for Hack for Accessibility! ?? Join us as a volunteer mentor at Hack for Accessibility on Saturday, April 5th at Google Chicago! We're looking for professionals and allies passionate about accessibility, innovation, and mentoring the next generation of tech leaders. Mentors will guide high school student teams through brainstorming, time management, and teamwork as they create innovative technology solutions to support accessibility. Your mentorship can make a powerful impact—helping students turn ideas into real-world solutions! ?? Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025 ?? Location: Google Chicago (320 N Morgan St) ?? Time: Check-in at 8:30 AM, event ends at 6:00 PM ?? Breakfast and lunch provided! ?? Sign up to mentor: https://lnkd.in/gxz27GQa Join us in creating an inclusive tech future!

?? Searching for Volunteers in Chicago! ?? We are beyond excited for Code Together Day by Code Your Dreams on Sunday, March 30th at the Lyric Opera in Chicago! This is a free, family festival where both parents and kids will explore coding and innovation together! From 3D Printing, E-Sports, and Minecraft Coding for kids to Career Workshops and Panels for adults, there's something for everyone! This is truly going to be a day packed with energy, excitement, and fun! We've already confirmed over 35 sessions for kids from toddlers to high school plus for adults! ? If you're able to volunteer, we'd be extremely grateful! Please fill out this form and share with your network: https://lnkd.in/gBr7fUxT Learn more about Code Together Day at https://lnkd.in/gSgn3ArQ

Congratulations to the winners of the Hack Your Dreams extended hackathon by Code Your Dreams! Congratulations to team Code Mages who won the Best Tech Award led by Flynn Richardson, Jonathan Ramirez, and Neha Bhatia! Congratulations to team Career who won the Community Impact Award led by warawut teeratamtada and Ann M.! It is very special to see these participants come together and build impactful solutions for our community of learners! The collaboration and thoughtfulness from both groups is really inspiring. I can't wait for what these amazing technologists continue to achieve! This program wouldn't be possible without the support and hard work from our industry mentors: JulieAnn Scherer, Stephan Hartig and Amtullah N.! Thank you to our amazing judges: Tay Nishimura, Cattalyya Nuengsigkapian, Beatrice W., Mark Smithivas

?? #Chicago Community, Let’s Build Inclusive Tech Together! ?? I’m thrilled to be a community partner for Hack for Accessibility, a powerful hackathon hosted by Code Your Dreams ( cc: Brianne Caplan ?? and Deaf Kids Code at Google Chicago! ?? This event is all about designing tech solutions that work for everyone—breaking down barriers and ensuring accessibility is a priority, not an afterthought. At Amplify Allyship we know that true innovation happens when inclusivity is at the center. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting this work and ensuring that accessibility is woven into the fabric of tech. About Hack for Accessibility ?? Date: Saturday, April 5, 2024 ?? Location: Google Office, Chicago ?? Who can participate: High school students, University/College/Bootcamp students, and professionals ?? What is it? A hackathon focused on fostering innovation and inclusivity in technology. Participants will collaborate to create tech solutions that improve accessibility for all. If you’re in Chicago, I’d love for you to join us at Google’s Chicago office! Let’s collaborate, innovate, and build technology that empowers everyone. ?? Attend for FREE as a guest of Amplify Allyship! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gUDAxMuh ?? When registering, select “Yes” when asked if you are attending on behalf of a specific organization and list “Amplify Allyship.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gx9tFQmM #HackForAccessibility #InclusiveTech #AmplifyAllyship #InclusiveInnovation #Chicago #ChiTowm

Did you know we have scholarships available for Hack for Accessibility? Hack for Accessibility is happening next month on Saturday April 5th at Google Chicago, and we’d love to see you there! This hackathon is designed for people with disabilities and allies to come together and co-create technology for a more accessible world. ?? It’s going to be a supportive, empowering space where teams can build groundbreaking innovations, connect with inspiring individuals, and meet lifelong friends and colleagues. No matter your background or experience level, you’ll be part of an incredible community working toward real change. ??? If the ticket price is a barrier, we strongly encourage you to apply for a scholarship. Your ideas and participation are what matter most to us! Come be part of something amazing. ?? Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gtiQZHHM Apply for a scholarship (for university/bootcamp/professionals) at https://lnkd.in/gUWFams5 Brought to you by Code Your Dreams and Deaf Kids Code! #HackForAccessibility #InclusiveInnovation #AccessibilityMatters #TechForGood #Chicago

At Latinas in Tech | Chicago, our mission is to connect, support, and empower women in tech. However, we want to highlight community?organizations who are not only Latine owned but also provide community in spaces outside of tech. We're thrilled to highlight these organizations that share our passion for inclusion, empowerment, and our culture. As we navigate the uncertain beginning of 2025 together, there's nothing more powerful than showing up for each other and finding joy in our community. Click the links below to sign up, and let's bring our collective energy to these spaces as we continue building a world where our?individuals in our culture can truly thrive. March 1st: Crush Your Goals Workshop -Latinas on the Plaza https://lnkd.in/gBmN82C3 March 15th: Mini Finance Summit- Latina Brilliance https://lnkd.in/ggft_g7h March 15th: Women's Herstory Month Summit -?Fempreneur?Hub https://lnkd.in/gE79GUUE March 16th: Lucky Girl Brunch -?Amigas y Mas Social & Corporate Pero Latinos March 22nd: Shamrock Shakeout?- Latinas Run Chicago https://lnkd.in/g78sapfz March 25th: Comadre Coworking -?Elevating La Cultura https://lnkd.in/g_eV9SYS ? March 30th: Code Together Day -Code Your Dreams https://lnkd.in/g7-c5FwZ

Being in community with all the students at Code Your Dreams this semester has been so incredibly rewarding. Watching ideas go from zero to one right before my eyes is a true joy. Happy to play a small part in their lives. #python #bizdev #teji

?? Calling all parents, teachers, and community leaders! Do you know a high school student in Chicago who is passionate about technology, leadership, and making a difference? The Youth Leadership Fellowship by Code Your Dreams is a paid opportunity designed to empower young leaders while they help build and shape the new CYD Clubhouse— a youth-driven technology hub for learning, innovation, and community engagement. This program provides valuable leadership experience, hands-on projects, mentorship from tech professionals, and a $500 stipend upon completion. It’s an incredible opportunity for students to develop career-ready skills while making a real impact on their community. Program Highlights: ? Leadership & Career Development: Students will participate in workshops on public speaking, teamwork, resume building, project management, and more. ? Hands-On Experience: Fellows will collaborate on tech-related initiatives, such as planning events, launching a youth-led podcast, or designing interactive learning experiences. ? Mentorship & Networking: Students will gain guidance from industry professionals and expand their career connections. This is a resume-boosting opportunity that provides real-world experience in leadership, technology, and community engagement. Who Can Apply? ?? High school students in Chicago who are eager to learn, lead, and create meaningful change—no prior experience needed! How to Apply: www.codeyourdreams.org/ylf Help us spread the word and support the next generation of tech leaders! ??

Big thank you to three incredible Chicago tech professionals-- Billy N., Desmend Jetton, and Taniesha Robinson-- for volunteering their time in the classroom today with Code Your Dreams and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry! It was so inspiring to have these leaders share their career journeys and work with students in the 5th-7th grade. ?? Our students need to see it to be it! To celebrate Black History Month with a techie twist, we kicked off the session by learning about impactful Black innovators-- from Dr. Shirley Jackson to Mark Dean to Kimberly Bryant-- and highlighting their achievements with our Black Innovators Card Deck. I think it's time to add Desmend, Billy, and Taniesha to our deck for next time! Next, our students explored binary code and created their own binary code bracelets using Black History Month colors and embedding secret messages in their designs. If you're looking for a fun way to bring Black History Month into your classroom with a techie twist, please feel free to reach out! The lesson plan is for 45mins - 1 hour, but can be adjusted.

Did you know that only 3% of websites are fully accessible for people with disabilities? That means millions of people are left behind in the digital world. Let's change that. Join us at Hack for Accessibility: a 1-day hackathon designed to empower, innovate, and create tech solutions for a more inclusive world. This amazing event is taking place on Saturday April 5th at Google Chicago, in partnership with Code Your Dreams and Deaf Kids Code. ?? What’s in it for you? ? Work with engineers, designers & accessibility advocates ? Learn from experts in accessibility ? Build projects that could impact millions (billions?) ? Win prizes for groundbreaking ideas ?? Date: Saturday, April 5, 2024 ?? Location: Google Office, Chicago ??? Open to students and professionals – No experience needed! Let's make technology for everyone, with everyone. Sign up now & be part of the change: https://lnkd.in/gtiQZHHM #HackForAccessibility #TechForAll #InclusiveInnovation #BreakBarriers #CodeForChange