So grateful to Brooks Jarosz and KTVU Fox 2 News for doing a story on how Dev/Mission is providing free computers and helping bridge the digital divide in San Francisco to underprivileged families. Also big shoutout Luis Madrigal who convinced his company UBER to donate hundreds of laptops and computers to Dev/Mission to support the idea of providing computers to low income families during the pandemic.
ABC7 News Article
So grateful to Luz Pena and ABC 7 News for doing a story on how Dev/Mission is providing free computers and tablets to underprivileged families and for highlighting Alise Minor our STEAM Hub Coordinator.
Volunteer Highlight: Jennifer Howell
What were you doing before joining Dev/Mission as a volunteer?
Before joining the Dev/Mission volunteer team, I was working as the Head of Sales and Operations for a very small startup. After leaving that position, I began upskilling and taking classes for my PSM and Salesforce Admin certification. I am also working as Product Owner/Scrum team member on a project for The Job Hackers, a nonprofit that teaches Agile methodologies to students for free.
How long have you been a Dev/Mission volunteer?
I have been volunteering for about 2 months.
Describe your typical volunteer routine at Dev/Mission and why it’s important in your life?
A typical volunteer day is reviewing or preparing upcoming class curriculum, assisting with or teaching classes in critical career skills and helping students with their assignments. Sometimes that’s coursework for the day and other times it’s support on take home assignments. Outside of the class I check on assignments or provide students with 1o1 help when needed. There are also things that go on behind the scenes like assisting with big picture organizational projects.
While days that I am volunteering with Dev/Mission can be fast paced, it brings me so much joy and a sense of purpose knowing that what I am doing is making a difference. I look forward to the time I dedicate to the organization and spend with all of the incredible students.
Share any personal anecdotes involved with Dev/Mission?
Since this is the first 100% virtual cohort, we are teaching all classes over Zoom. If you’re in a class with me, you can always count on me forgetting to unmute myself or turn on the audio. Luckily someone eventually says something.
How has Dev/Mission staff supported you?
The Dev/Mission staff wants to see everyone succeed, including their volunteers. Leo and Ivan have been supportive in making sure I have the tools and resources needed to be successful within this community. They have also given me the autonomy to make decisions that will positively impact the students and organization. Everyone is a Slack message away`12 It feels good to know your efforts are making a difference.
What three words would you use to describe Dev/Mission if you were trying to convince a friend/peer to get involved as a volunteer?
Inclusive,
Revolutionary,
and Fulfilling.
Has Dev/Mission positively impacted you? If so, how?
Absolutely! Volunteering with Dev/Mission has given me a deep sense of purpose within my community. As a Latina from San Francisco, I have seen and experienced firsthand the displacement of minorities and feeling of not belonging within the tech space, and therefore not belonging in my city. Through programs like Dev/Mission, we can change the opportunities available to our minority communities and prepare the next generation to find their place within the tech industry. Knowing I am helping people feel a sense of belonging is the most rewarding part of working with Dev/Mission.
What do you think makes Dev/Mission different from other organizations you have volunteered with before?
Lately I have been fortunate enough to volunteer with organizations that promote inclusivity, however, Dev/Mission also values diversity like no other. The organization is doing their part to close the digital divide. Leo is a selfless, passionate leader and that culture has carried off throughout the organization. Dev/Mission provides everyone with the resources they need to not only succeed in the tech space, but also belong there.
What would you like to do for Dev/Mission after this volunteer term?
I won’t be going anywhere and plan to continue supporting the organization both on the front line and behind the scenes. I hope to mentor Dev/Mission graduates and teach workshops. Connecting students and the organization with other resources within my network is also on my agenda.
Inside Dev/Mission Launch
Dev/Mission is excited to announce an upcoming video series that takes a peek into the non-profit organization! Dev/Mission will be interviewing alumni, staff, board members, partners, and funders about their thoughts and experiences at Dev/Mission. Our mission with these videos is to provide future alumni and our partners/funders a detailed and informative look at how our program operates and guides youth on a path to success in the tech field.
Through these videos, you will get to know the hard obstacles our alumni faced such as growing up in low income communities with little to no opportunities. They will share their origin stories, talk about their hopes and aspirations, and the obstacles they were facing. By the end of the video, you will get to know their achievements and successes that they were able to accomplish through Dev/Mission. From creating websites using their acquired knowledge taught at our Bootcamp to finding their passions and interests from corporate site visits and mentorships provided by software engineers that have inspired them through their journey. Alongside these videos, we will be introducing our talented staff and their important role in our organization and how they have supported and mentored our alumni. Lastly, we will interview our wonderful partners and founders that have made all these possible through funding and partnership.
Our main goal with these videos is to highlight how successful and innovative our non-profit is for low income youth in diverse disenfranchised communities in the Bay Area. Dev/Mission stands out in the non-profit organization for transforming the lives of inner city youth through our internships and mentorship. We are very proud of all our alumni who have graduated and have gone and found jobs in the tech field despite the inherent obstacles and challenges they have faced in life for being minorities growing up in low-income communities with little to no opportunities or ways to move up the social ladder.
With these videos, we hope to encourage future alumni to join our organization and see how life-transforming our program can be in their lives. We welcome them and remind them that they belong here and they deserve the same opportunities just like everyone else. We hope these videos show our partners and funders how their contributions have revolutionized Dev/Mission and their roles in transforming our alumni lives that have led them to find passion and success in the tech field.
Watch our first episode below:
OFA SUMMER LAUNCH
Written by: Carmen Flores
Opportunities for All has partnered with Dev/Mission to bring young individuals from underrepresented diverse backgrounds paid internships, mentorships, and pathways to employment. The selection of internships covers a wide variety of technical positions and prepares them with the necessary skills to thrive in tech. Ranging from being a web developer and learning CSS, javascript, and WordPress to being a Community Technology Intern providing IT maintenance and tech support to their local communities. These Internships support Dev/Mission’s goal of helping individuals in underserved communities be exposed to technology and spark an interest in pursuing a career in STEAM fields. Our goal is to increase representation in tech for Latinos and African Americans only represent less than 5% working in the tech field. The program aims to increase diversity and offer those who lack opportunities a chance to be part of the thriving tech field. u003cbru003e
Due to Covid-19, this summer we have experienced for the first time a quarantine in place, nevertheless, this obstacle has not changed Dev/Mission’s determination to meet their goal of training untapped youth for careers in the tech industry. Our 30 interns this summer will learn our curriculum via remote instruction. These also include lessons on how to use online tools and resources that further teaches the values of adaptability and prepares them to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and challenges in the workforce. Dev/Mission is there with them at every step by providing guidance in the form of weekly check-ins via google hangouts and assisting them with a laptop if they need one.u0026nbsp;u003cbru003e
Together Dev/Mission and Opportunities for All give talented individuals the support, guidance, and essential skills they need to pursue careers in STEAM and the tech field. We can’t wait to see where our talented alumni will go in their life and we wish them the best!u0026nbsp;u003cbru003e
Opportunities for All has partnered with Dev/Mission to bring young individuals from underrepresented diverse backgrounds paid internships, mentorships, and pathways to employment. The selection of internships covers a wide variety of technical positions and prepares them with the necessary skills to thrive in tech. Ranging from being a web developer and learning CSS, javascript, and WordPress to being a Community Technology Intern providing IT maintenance and tech support to their local communities. These Internships support Dev/Mission’s goal of helping individuals in underserved communities be exposed to technology and spark an interest in pursuing a career in STEAM fields. Our goal is to increase representation in tech for Latinos and African Americans only represent less than 5% working in the tech field. The programs aims to increase diversity and offer those who lack opportunities a chance to be part of the thriving tech field.
Due to Covid-19, this summer we have experienced for the first time a quarantine in place, nevertheless, this obstacle has not changed Dev/Mission’s determination to meet their goal of training untapped youth for careers in the tech industry. Our 30 interns this summer will learn our curriculum via remote instruction. These also include lessons on how to use online tools and resources that further teaches the values of adaptability and prepares them to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and challenges in the workforce. Dev/Mission is there with them at every step by providing guidance in the form of weekly check-ins via google hangouts and assisting them with a laptop if they need one.
Together Dev/Mission and Opportunities for All give talented individuals the support, guidance, and essential skills they need to pursue careers in STEAM and the tech field. We can’t wait to see where our talented alumni will go in their life and we wish them the best!
“We are very thankful to the OFA Program and the Mayor’s Office for allowing our Dev/Mission Interns this Summer earned Subsided Employment Dollars to learn STEM Skills with our organization” Leo Sosa Founder and ED
