Originally published on August 30 in La Noticia .
by Paola Jaramillo
A free program offered by a nonprofit organization that has become a bridge for dozens of young immigrants to integrate into the world of Internet page programming.
“The goal of ‘Code the Dream’ is to give immigrants the opportunity to open spaces in technology companies where Latinos are not represented,” Jocelyn Casanova, 21, of Veracruz, Mexico, told La Noticia. After taking the course and remaining linked to the program for more than two years, she is now the outreach coordinator. “What we do is web applications, that is, Internet pages.”
Cynthia Ríos, daughter of Peruvian parents, is 16 years old and a student at Garner High School and has been the youngest student to take classes. “I’m here a year and a half ago. I feel very happy to have the opportunity to create because you can be what you want. “
Ríos works together with Rubén Cruz, 23, on a website for Kidznotes, a music education program for minorities. “I finished regular classes at Durham Tech to enter university because I want to study programming. Next month I start a new job and it’s thanks to ‘Code the Dream’, “he said.
Fernando Osorto, 22, who arrived in Honduras 12 years ago, has allowed him to improve his economy and his family. “When I graduated I worked in carpentry, but now I do programming”. After taking the classes, Osorto began working with Jorge Rodríguez on the Internet page: conectatecarolina.org, which helps farm workers find resources in their areas.
Those interested in participating should go to the website: www.codethedream.org/classes Calls are opened four times a year and two courses are given in Raleigh and two in Durham. After entering their information they are called for an interview. The basic course lasts from 7 to 12 weeks.
About the requirements, the essential thing is to “want to learn” to like science and math, to be between 15 and 25 years old (although they are working on opening the program for adults of that age soon) and to know English.
Classes are free and it does not matter the student’s nationality, place of residence or immigration status.