Summer of a Lifetime supports students by providing summer academic enrichment programs at colleges and universities throughout the country. Through this program, incoming juniors in Chicago’s Noble Network of Charter Schools explore subject areas they are passionate about, job shadow, and immerse themselves in a completely new college environment – experiencing new cities, college courses, and other students from diverse backgrounds and countries.
Open Books is a literacy nonprofit in Chicago that focuses on the joy of reading and writing for children and youth through inspiring programs and the creative capitalization of books. Open Books gives high-quality books to schools and nonprofits across Chicagoland. Funding comes from the sale of donated books at its two store locations, online, and from the generous support of individuals.
MetroSquash is a nonprofit organization that engages underserved Chicago youth through academic support, the sport of squash and wellness, mentoring, enrichment, and community service to help develop and prepare adolescents for their next step in life — from middle school to high school to college to careers. MetroSquash students spend an average of 10 hours per week participating in the program, both after school and on weekends. To date, MetroSquash has yielded a 100% college acceptance rate among its students. Once students enter college, they’re provided with a mentor, reunion activities, and monthly communication and care packages, to name a few.
Inspiration Corporation is a nonprofit that helps people affected by homelessness and poverty in Chicago by improving their lives and increasing self-sufficiency through social services, employment training and placement and housing. Participants in the program work with a case manager to create a customized plan for them to achieve stable housing and employment.
Code Platoon is a Chicago nonprofit organization that seeks to turn military veterans into professional software developers. The program helps veterans transitioning to the workforce find new careers, and creates an opportunity for local companies to source new development talent. Code Platoon provides an intensive 14-week coding bootcamp and pairs graduates with companies for internships. The program has 24 graduates, 18 of whom have full-time roles, and six students enrolled.
Reshma Saujani is not a coder. But she’s passionate about building a world where one million women and girls are computer scientists in 2020. She joined us in our Chicago office to tell us her story, how she is working to close the gender gap in technology - and how we can support and champion this important initiative.
For whatever reason, working in tech and a love of table tennis go hand in glove.
It’s no secret that techies love ping pong, but those in Chicago’s startup community will soon get the chance to play table tennis together for more than just fun.