Blog

At Code the Dream, we’re always interested to find ways to expand opportunity to those who may have less access. So we were excited to learn recently that we received a Ribbon of Hope grant from the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation to do just that — specifically supporting expanded access to Code the Dream to young […]

Cruz Nuñez is now officially our second Code the Dream alumni to come back as program staff. Cruz is an incredibly talented software developer and will take the lead on some of Code the Dream’s app development projects for nonprofits and small businesses. Cruz is also a gifted and patient mentor, and we’re very glad to […]

We recently got a nice, unexpected email from one of our recent Code the Dream grads, Jafet, who last year earned a full scholarship to college: “Code the Dream provided me with the foundation that is helping me shape my future. The skills I learned through the classes and the multiple phases of the program […]

After a series of information sessions and a record number of interviews held, Code the Dream’s most diverse cohort yet has been selected: The cohort is split nearly 50 / 50 men and women. Our high school applicants came to us from over a dozen schools across the region. Students range in age from 14 […]

It’s been a busy time for Code the Dream as we prepare for next set of introductory courses! We’ve had more applications than ever before – a record-breaking 170 applicants.  For our team, that’s both exciting and daunting, as we realize we don’t have the resources to serve that many students. We’ve already learned a […]

We are very excited to welcome the newest member of our team — Daisy Magnus-Aryitey, who began last week as our new Program Director.  Daisy was one of our first Code the Dream students before spending the last two years as a software developer for Duke University. She came to the U.S. from Ghana when she […]

For many Code the Dream students, the last step before they start getting paid to develop real apps is to take one of their own ideas and turn it into a fully functioning app. It’s a big step requiring a lot of work, but on Saturday Crystal, Narayan, Rondale and Cristian were ready to demonstrate […]

When Fernando thinks back to his first days in the United States they weren’t easy. “I cried in the classroom because everyone was speaking English and I didn’t understand what they were saying,” he remembers. Fernando is originally from Honduras, and as a child he didn’t have much access to computers. But he was always interested, […]

Many people pack their bags and sunscreens ready to go on vacation. However a few people are firing up their computers to master a new coding language. Code the Dream is transitioning from teaching its students the language of Ruby on Rails to Javascript. The first class in Durham was hosted this summer where 20 […]

On Saturday, the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh invited Code the Dream to present at its first ever ‘education opportunity fair’. Students shared their experience with Code the Dream and explained a bit of what they had learned. Around 100 people came to their booth seeking for more information about possibly starting a career in tech. Students  were […]

Do you know somebody who has always wanted to learn to code? Maybe they’ve always been really skilled or interested in all things tech, but they’ve never gotten a chance to learn how things work? Whether they’re still in high school or community college or out in the work world and college wasn’t an option […]

The annual Power of Sharing awards gala was established to recognize the tremendous impact local nonprofits are making throughout our community. This year Code the Dream was honored to be invited and selected as the runner-up in the Education category, a wonderful recognition for our work. We are also grateful for the $5,000 award, which will […]

Getting the call for a job interview is an amazing feeling but also nerve racking. An interview can make or break you by determining if you get the job or don’t. Nothing is more frustrating than failing an interview because you weren’t prepared for the question they asked.  Yesterday Code the Dream students and recent […]

This afternoon Jared Siirila was recognized during the 44th Annual Key Volunteer of the Year & Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards Luncheon for volunteering with Code the Dream. Jared has served as an instructor for multiple Code the Dream classes, giving diverse low-income students the opportunity to take their first steps toward a successful career in […]

January marked the beginning of Code the Dream’s Advanced Course in Durham. As students transition from basic programing to more in depth app development technologies, it’s been inspiring to watch them also develop a keener sense that this could be a real future. As Cait recently said, “CTD has been an awesome experience. Ever since […]

Today was the first day of class for our new Beginner Course. We’re excited to have a dozen new students honing their coding skills at the The Iron Yard’s campus in downtown Raleigh, and look forward to seeing what you will accomplish.

Today marks a month with our incredible new students from our class in Durham, NC. This cohort is similar to our previous ones with almost half women and students from all over the world, including Gambia, Guyana, India, Italy, Mexico, and Zimbabwe. We are impressed with what our students have accomplished so far and excited […]