Thank You CTD Volunteers

We rely on your support. From classes to practicum projects, to job readiness skills, to our social enterprise apprenticeship, Code the Dream’s many dedicated volunteers make our innovative program possible. In 2021, dozens of volunteers gave more than 7,000 hours of time supporting our students and interns. Thank you so much to all our volunteers! We couldn’t do it without you, and we are so grateful!

Want to join their ranks? Check out our volunteer opportunities and sign up!

Volunteer Hall of Fame

Elliot Thompson (They/He)

Full Stack Dev

Elliot Thompson (They/He)

Full Stack Dev

Multi-disciplined software engineer with experience in UI, UX, and full-stack development. Continuous process improver. Passionate teacher and mentor. Empathetic leader. Focused on crafting a web for everyone.

Jared Siirila (He/Him)

Full Stack Dev

Jared Siirila (He/Him)

Full Stack Dev

Jared is our longest-serving volunteer instructor and a proud Wyoming native. He has lived in the Triangle for over 10 years, working as a front-end developer for tech giants IBM and Lenovo. Currently, Jared works for EBSCO in the NoveList division, developing software for public libraries. Jared is a talented problem solver with a passion for teaching programming in often humorous ways (just ask his students). We at Code the Dream are lucky to have him on our team.

John McGarvey (He/Him)

Back End Dev

John McGarvey (He/Him)

Back End Dev

John spent 33 years as a lead systems software developer and security architect at IBM.  Having retired from that position, he is glad to have the opportunity to assist others in learning to code and in practicing the development process, focusing on Ruby and Rails.  These technologies were new to him when he joined Code the Dream.  He now passes on his old and new skills to those he mentors.

Chris Liu-Beers (He/Him)

Front End / Wordpress Dev

Chris Liu-Beers (He/Him)

Front End / Wordpress Dev

Chris started building websites in 2009 while working in a faith-based nonprofit that advocated for immigrant rights, and he helped create Uniting NC. In 2014, he launched a full-time WordPress design and development shop. Believing in the power of community organizations his company (Tomatillo Design) continues to work almost exclusively with nonprofits. Chris has lived in Durham with his family for more than 15 years.

Current Class Mentors

Skill-IT Series Leaders

Former Class Mentors

Code the Dream is thankful for everyone who has volunteered with us in the past!

View past mentors