Jovia Financial Credit Union announced today that the credit union will be a lead sponsor/partner of We Connect The Dots, a Westbury, NY-based non-profit that offers at-risk youth the opportunity to engage in experiential learning programs for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). Jovia’s $35,000 sponsorship will support the non-profit’s annual Code-a-Thon and other educational programs from the end of 2020 throughout 2021. The program is designed to assist young people to prepare for entry into America’s evolving workplace.
We Connect the Dots was founded by entrepreneur and Microsoft veteran Laurie Carey to address the digital divide in communities nationally. Currently, the organization works with students, primarily in Long Island and in the Greater New York Metro area. The not-for-profit’s programs provide underrepresented populations from low-income communities and others with opportunities to access and personally experience working in STEAM-focused disciplines. These programs give students the skills they need to enter the workforce or continue their education in STEAM related fields such as engineering, science, and computing.
“Jovia is committed to serving our community and we recognize the importance of advancing the education and skills of young people. STEAM careers are in high demand and our efforts with We Connect the Dots will encourage students to pursue professions within these fields. Supporting education is part of Jovia’s history and by partnering with We Connect the Dots we continue this important legacy while connecting into the twenty-first century of workplace development,” said Raymond Schwetz, Assistant Vice President of Community Relations, Jovia Financial Credit Union.
We Connect the Dots’ sixth annual Code-a-Thon will take place virtually from the 29th to 31st of January 2021. Registration for the Code-a-Thon is open through December 27, 2020, by visiting www.we-connect-the-dots.org. The free 48-hour event gives students, ages 13-18, the opportunity to use technology, research, and collaboration to address challenges confronting the human race on a global scale. Students will participate in teams of four (4) with one (1) mentor. Participants will be trained during the month of January in the use of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React web development software. Teams will then have 48 hours to complete their projects which includes a final presentation to judges live on the Microsoft Teams online collaboration platform. The top three teams will earn prizes.
“The leadership of Jovia understands the importance of supporting STEAM education and career advancement. Their sponsorship will provide direct access to programs to those who need it most. These efforts will raise the awareness of students and teachers about the many STEAM-related opportunities and career paths that exist,” said Laurie Carey, Chief Executive Officer, Nebula Professional Development Academy. “This partnership is critical, especially during the pandemic, when the challenges related to educating underserved youth have become more complex.”
Jovia Financial will also sponsor We Connect the Dots’ 2021 STEAM Summer Program for Nassau and Suffolk students ages 13-18 and Discovery Day at Microsoft Times Square, NYC.
For more information about We Connect the Dots, event sponsorships, please call (631) 468-7475 or visit: www.wctd.org/2021-codeathon