• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Code the Dream

Real Talent. Real Experience. Real Impact.

  • About
    • Who We Are & What We Do
    • Job Openings
    • CTD Voices
    • Code The Dream’s Impact
    • In The Media
    • Board
    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Senior Dev Fellowship
    • E-Newsletter
    • Thank You CTD Volunteers
  • Services
    • Portfolio
    • Need an App?
  • Class Info
    • Class Info
    • Apply Now
    • Virtual Info Session
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Show Search
Hide Search

WUNC: The Road to Diversity in Tech – Code the Dream

Dana Terry and Frank Stasio, WUNC · Dec 19, 2019

Part of the American dream includes a solid education with the promise of a lucrative job down the road. For students in North Carolina who are undocumented or recipients of DACA, that dream is elusive. These facts were part of the impetus for Code the Dream, a nonprofit organization that teaches immigrant and minority youth the art and science of coding.

Co-founder and executive director Dan Rearick noticed that some children from Latinx communities hit a wall after high school graduation. North Carolina laws prohibit undocumented residents from receiving in-state tuition, and they are also blocked from federal financial aid. Without higher education, many are faced with the prospect of low-wage jobs. Rearick joins host Frank Stasio to talk about the program.

He is joined by a few current and former participants: Andrea Hernandez Guzman is a software developer and mentor at Code the Dream. She is a DACA recipient who was not sure if traditional college made sense for her. Fernando Osorto took a gap year after high school to work construction and quickly realized that was not the life for him. He went through the program and now develops apps for Duke University. Irene Serrano spent her teenage years in a tiny room with her three brothers, mom, stepdad and other migrant farmworkers from across the country. Her training with Code the Dream prepared her to work on an app to help migrant farmworkers and their families. She shares what it has been like to come full circle.

View the Original Story

Blog, News

"Programs like CTD are important because everyone should have access to a good education regardless of their background, faith or finances. Some students like me are passionate about coding, but unfortunately, we can't afford a boot camp." Learn more at codethedream.org/classes. pic.twitter.com/3q1vz2HRz0

Last week

Applications are now open for our next round of introductory and advanced-level classes. Join our passionate, welcoming student community and learn the programming skills necessary to succeed in the #tech industry. codethedream.org/classes/ pic.twitter.com/irbz9txTkN

About 2 weeks ago

Excited to be celebrating this month's CTD Coworking Day in person and virtually alongside @thoughtbot's Rainbow Connection, an Employee Resource Group that provides support for the LGBTQIA+ community. 🌈 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 pic.twitter.com/qzaBDA8L6t

About 2 weeks ago

The app offers a free tier to help make it accessible to the broader public. We should all take advantage of innovations like @upstatenc. Our democracy is not perfect, but it's stronger when we participate. Learn more at start.keepupstate.com.

About 3 weeks ago

CTD Labs is proud of our work on @upstatenc, a legislative tracking/analysis tool that delivers nearly immediate bill updates and keyword-searchable transcripts of hearings and floor sessions from NC’s General Assembly.

About 3 weeks ago

Follow @CodeTheDream

Copyright © 2023 Code the Dream · All Rights Reserved · Website by Code the Dream & Tomatillo Design