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Code the Dream

At Code the Dream, we envision a world in which tech innovation comes from all of us and benefits all of us.

Forrest Norman

Amy Sandoval

Tandem Apprenticeship Provides Path to Tech Job for CTD Alum

Apr 2, 2025
In 2021, Amy Sandoval was working in property management and considering taking out student loans to go back to school. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but she knew it had to be engaging and challenging. “I’d worked in restaurants, I’d worked in retail, I was a property admin,” she said. “Every job […]

Tandem Apprenticeship Provides Path to Tech Job for CTD Alum

by Forrest Norman

Amy Sandoval

In 2021, Amy Sandoval was working in property management and considering taking out student loans to go back to school. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but she knew it had to be engaging and challenging. “I’d worked in restaurants, I’d worked in retail, I was a property admin,” she said. “Every job […]

Screenshot of two mobile phones showing information about Medicaid and WIC

Code the Dream and partners launch online tool to help North Carolina families find financial support in minutes

Apr 1, 2025
Code the Dream, in partnership with national nonprofit MyFriendBen and NC 211, launched a benefits screener in North Carolina on April 1. MyFriendBen-NC is a one-stop online tool that helps North Carolinians find the benefits and tax credits they are likely eligible to receive. Programs include food assistance, health insurance, child care subsidies and more.  […]

Code the Dream and partners launch online tool to help North Carolina families find financial support in minutes

by Forrest Norman

Screenshot of two mobile phones showing information about Medicaid and WIC

Code the Dream, in partnership with national nonprofit MyFriendBen and NC 211, launched a benefits screener in North Carolina on April 1. MyFriendBen-NC is a one-stop online tool that helps North Carolinians find the benefits and tax credits they are likely eligible to receive. Programs include food assistance, health insurance, child care subsidies and more.  […]

Students at Marcy Lab in a classroom.

This Black History Month, meet some of the organizations bringing tech training to Black communities

Feb 26, 2025
Happy Black History Month from Code the Dream! This February, as we honor past and present Black innovators, we also look to the future. At Code the Dream, our mission is to open doors to jobs in the technology sector for people from historically marginalized communities. And in African American communities, the disparity is striking: […]

This Black History Month, meet some of the organizations bringing tech training to Black communities

by Forrest Norman

Students at Marcy Lab in a classroom.

Happy Black History Month from Code the Dream! This February, as we honor past and present Black innovators, we also look to the future. At Code the Dream, our mission is to open doors to jobs in the technology sector for people from historically marginalized communities. And in African American communities, the disparity is striking: […]

A Pharmacy Tech Finds Renewed Opportunity With a Global Leader in Data and AI

Dec 4, 2024
Irene Sanchez was a pharmacy tech hoping to make a career change in 2019, whenshe heard about Code the Dream (CTD) from a friend who was taking CTD’s freeclasses. “I had developed an interest in technology and programming and I wanted to pursue anew career away from customer service,” Sanchez says. “I heard about the […]

A Pharmacy Tech Finds Renewed Opportunity With a Global Leader in Data and AI

by Forrest Norman

Irene Sanchez was a pharmacy tech hoping to make a career change in 2019, whenshe heard about Code the Dream (CTD) from a friend who was taking CTD’s freeclasses. “I had developed an interest in technology and programming and I wanted to pursue anew career away from customer service,” Sanchez says. “I heard about the […]

Vamos Outreach App highlighted at National Farmworker Law Conference

Nov 25, 2024
Shaya Lyon and Kate Borgen represented Code the Dream and our Vamos Outreach App at the National Farmworker Law Conference November 13-15 in Atlanta. The experience, Lyon says, was inspiring and motivating. “It was great to hear Vamos partners talk about how using Vamos has helped their organizations plan and track their outreach visits to […]

Vamos Outreach App highlighted at National Farmworker Law Conference

by Forrest Norman

Shaya Lyon and Kate Borgen represented Code the Dream and our Vamos Outreach App at the National Farmworker Law Conference November 13-15 in Atlanta. The experience, Lyon says, was inspiring and motivating. “It was great to hear Vamos partners talk about how using Vamos has helped their organizations plan and track their outreach visits to […]

Just Getting Started: 10th Anniversary Messages from Daisy, Dan, and Ramiro

Nov 15, 2024
In 2014, Dan Rearick contacted Ramiro Rodriguez about offering a free introductory software programming course to people from underserved communities. For Dan, the initial idea sprang from working alongside recent immigrants and refugees and “seeing over and over again how hard somebody could work without getting an opportunity.” For Ramiro, who conceived the program with […]

Just Getting Started: 10th Anniversary Messages from Daisy, Dan, and Ramiro

by Forrest Norman

In 2014, Dan Rearick contacted Ramiro Rodriguez about offering a free introductory software programming course to people from underserved communities. For Dan, the initial idea sprang from working alongside recent immigrants and refugees and “seeing over and over again how hard somebody could work without getting an opportunity.” For Ramiro, who conceived the program with […]

Code the Dream welcomes three new staff members

Nov 7, 2024
Code the Dream is proud to announce three new staff members: Product/Project Manager Shaya Lyon, Senior Public Benefits Analyst Louise Pocock, and Program Assistant Caitlin Gross. By way of introduction, each of them participated in a short Q&A to illustrate who they are and some — but not all! — of the reasons why they are such welcome additions.

Code the Dream welcomes three new staff members

by Forrest Norman

Code the Dream is proud to announce three new staff members: Product/Project Manager Shaya Lyon, Senior Public Benefits Analyst Louise Pocock, and Program Assistant Caitlin Gross. By way of introduction, each of them participated in a short Q&A to illustrate who they are and some — but not all! — of the reasons why they are such welcome additions.

Chastity Benton

Alumni Spotlight: Chastity Benton

Nov 7, 2024
When working in a lab for a pharmaceutical company started to feel like it was the wrong professional course, Chastity Benton changed direction. She had some knowledge of coding and enrolled with G{Code} House, an organization whose mission — bridging the gap in opportunities for underrepresented communities in the tech industry — dovetails with Code […]

Alumni Spotlight: Chastity Benton

by Forrest Norman

Chastity Benton

When working in a lab for a pharmaceutical company started to feel like it was the wrong professional course, Chastity Benton changed direction. She had some knowledge of coding and enrolled with G{Code} House, an organization whose mission — bridging the gap in opportunities for underrepresented communities in the tech industry — dovetails with Code […]

Code the Dream logo

NC IDEA spotlights partnership with Code the Dream

May 10, 2024
North Carolina-based economic development nonprofit NC IDEA highlighted their partnership with Code the Dream in a case study authored by CTD Co-Executive Director Daisy Magnus-Aryitey.

NC IDEA spotlights partnership with Code the Dream

by Forrest Norman

Code the Dream logo

North Carolina-based economic development nonprofit NC IDEA highlighted their partnership with Code the Dream in a case study authored by CTD Co-Executive Director Daisy Magnus-Aryitey.

Ming King

Staff Spotlight: Ming King

May 10, 2024
At Code the Dream, more than 50% of our staff are CTD alums. Our latest hire, Ming King, completed CTD Learns classes and was hired as a junior developer in 2023. In this short Q&A, you can meet one of the newest additions to the CTD team!

Staff Spotlight: Ming King

by Forrest Norman

Ming King

At Code the Dream, more than 50% of our staff are CTD alums. Our latest hire, Ming King, completed CTD Learns classes and was hired as a junior developer in 2023. In this short Q&A, you can meet one of the newest additions to the CTD team!

CTD’s Tandem Apprenticeship model benefits employers and apprentices by supporting diverse tech talent

Mar 23, 2024
A key component of Code the Dream’s unique model is the CTD Labs Apprenticeship program, where students have an opportunity to apply for a paid apprenticeship working in CTD Labs. There, under the supervision of experienced software developers, they work on projects for clients, gaining valuable real-world experience and operating in a professional environment.  Over […]

CTD’s Tandem Apprenticeship model benefits employers and apprentices by supporting diverse tech talent

by Forrest Norman

A key component of Code the Dream’s unique model is the CTD Labs Apprenticeship program, where students have an opportunity to apply for a paid apprenticeship working in CTD Labs. There, under the supervision of experienced software developers, they work on projects for clients, gaining valuable real-world experience and operating in a professional environment.  Over […]

Transcending Technical Training: CTD works to emphasize career development

Mar 23, 2024
This blog series will explain our process in expanding and developing our Professional Skills Program. In this first post, we are going to start with the big picture. At Code the Dream, we are committed to creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering innovation, and making a positive impact in our communities. But our […]

Transcending Technical Training: CTD works to emphasize career development

by Forrest Norman

This blog series will explain our process in expanding and developing our Professional Skills Program. In this first post, we are going to start with the big picture. At Code the Dream, we are committed to creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering innovation, and making a positive impact in our communities. But our […]

CTD’s Tandem Apprenticeship model highlighted in webinar with partners Cisco and SAS

Oct 4, 2023
Code The Dream's Co-Executive Directors Daisy Magnus-Aryitey and Dan Rearick, and CTD Labs Director Tom Rau discussed the Tandem Apprenticeship model with partners Cisco and SAS during a webinar on September 14th.

CTD’s Tandem Apprenticeship model highlighted in webinar with partners Cisco and SAS

by Forrest Norman

Code The Dream’s Co-Executive Directors Daisy Magnus-Aryitey and Dan Rearick, and CTD Labs Director Tom Rau discussed the Tandem Apprenticeship model with partners Cisco and SAS during a webinar on September 14th.

Cohort of CTD Apprentices receive SAS Fellowships

Aug 22, 2023
Code the Dream (CTD) and tech company SAS stepped up their longstanding collaboration in 2023, when SAS brought on a cohort of CTD apprentices to undergo training and mentoring and gain real-world work experience addressing coding problems, creating visual examples of user interface components, testing software, and checking design elements. SAS and Code the Dream first worked […]

Cohort of CTD Apprentices receive SAS Fellowships

by Forrest Norman

Code the Dream (CTD) and tech company SAS stepped up their longstanding collaboration in 2023, when SAS brought on a cohort of CTD apprentices to undergo training and mentoring and gain real-world work experience addressing coding problems, creating visual examples of user interface components, testing software, and checking design elements. SAS and Code the Dream first worked […]

From the Newsletter: DECODED Summer 2023

Jul 6, 2023
IMPACT AND OUTREACH Vamos Farmworkers are some of our nation’s most crucial — but also least protected — workers, and can be vulnerable to poor pay and abusive conditions. Agencies working to empower and organize workers for better conditions face challenges of their own: Just locating labor camps where workers live can be difficult and […]

From the Newsletter: DECODED Summer 2023

by Forrest Norman

IMPACT AND OUTREACH Vamos Farmworkers are some of our nation’s most crucial — but also least protected — workers, and can be vulnerable to poor pay and abusive conditions. Agencies working to empower and organize workers for better conditions face challenges of their own: Just locating labor camps where workers live can be difficult and […]

From the Newsletter: DECODED Summer 2023

Jul 6, 2023
ALUMNI CORNER CTD Alumni Profile: Jasper Lin, Software Engineer at Biozyme Inc. Jasper Lin is originally from Taiwan and moved to the US in 2011. Before joining Code the Dream’s first online Ruby on Rails class in 2019, he was a grade school teacher and mentor to immigrant students. Starting over in a new career […]

From the Newsletter: DECODED Summer 2023

by Forrest Norman

ALUMNI CORNER CTD Alumni Profile: Jasper Lin, Software Engineer at Biozyme Inc. Jasper Lin is originally from Taiwan and moved to the US in 2011. Before joining Code the Dream’s first online Ruby on Rails class in 2019, he was a grade school teacher and mentor to immigrant students. Starting over in a new career […]

Code the Dream Senior Developer Cruz Núñez Wins “NEXT TECH” Award

Jun 13, 2023
Code the Dream (CTD) Senior Developer Cruz Núñez accepted an award for “rising stars and tech innovators” at a June 12 ceremony held by non-profit professional organization NC TECH and Business North Carolina in Raleigh. Núñez was part of the inaugural class of NEXT TECH Award recipients. Núñez was selected for the award in recognition of […]

Code the Dream Senior Developer Cruz Núñez Wins “NEXT TECH” Award

by Forrest Norman

Code the Dream (CTD) Senior Developer Cruz Núñez accepted an award for “rising stars and tech innovators” at a June 12 ceremony held by non-profit professional organization NC TECH and Business North Carolina in Raleigh. Núñez was part of the inaugural class of NEXT TECH Award recipients. Núñez was selected for the award in recognition of […]

Code the Dream Hosts Online Idea Exchange on Gender Diversity in Tech

Apr 6, 2023
Code the Dream hosted an online conversation on April 4, featuring an exchange of ideas about gender diversity in the tech field. The conversation, led by CTD co-Executive Director Daisy Magnus-Aryitey, included discussion about the economic impact of more inclusive tech industry, the importance of developing skills beyond the purely technical, and the importance of […]

Code the Dream Hosts Online Idea Exchange on Gender Diversity in Tech

by Forrest Norman

Code the Dream hosted an online conversation on April 4, featuring an exchange of ideas about gender diversity in the tech field. The conversation, led by CTD co-Executive Director Daisy Magnus-Aryitey, included discussion about the economic impact of more inclusive tech industry, the importance of developing skills beyond the purely technical, and the importance of […]

Code the Dream COO Lucy Martinez featured in “Local Limelight”

Feb 13, 2023
At Code the Dream, we love it when our students and staffers are recognized for their remarkable contributions. So we were proud that our rockstar COO Lucy Martinez was featured in Axios Raleigh for their Local Limelight series. Lucy brings tremendous energy to our team and keeps our fast-growing organization in order so that everyone […]

Code the Dream COO Lucy Martinez featured in “Local Limelight”

by Forrest Norman

At Code the Dream, we love it when our students and staffers are recognized for their remarkable contributions. So we were proud that our rockstar COO Lucy Martinez was featured in Axios Raleigh for their Local Limelight series. Lucy brings tremendous energy to our team and keeps our fast-growing organization in order so that everyone […]

Magnus-Aryitey on Removing Resumé Requirements: “Tear the paper ceiling”

Dec 15, 2022
In a Twitter chat hosted by WorkingNation on December 14, Code the Dream Co-Executive Director Daisy Magnus-Aryitey and other stakeholders discussed how traditional resumé requirements block qualified candidates — many from groups that are underrepresented in high-paying professional positions — from good jobs in tech and other sectors. “STARS (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes) exemplify […]

Magnus-Aryitey on Removing Resumé Requirements: “Tear the paper ceiling”

by Forrest Norman

In a Twitter chat hosted by WorkingNation on December 14, Code the Dream Co-Executive Director Daisy Magnus-Aryitey and other stakeholders discussed how traditional resumé requirements block qualified candidates — many from groups that are underrepresented in high-paying professional positions — from good jobs in tech and other sectors. “STARS (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes) exemplify […]