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WATERLOO REGION, JAN. 19, 2016 — Year of Code Waterloo Region (YoCWR) is recruiting women in tech careers to help launch a program promoting interest in science and technology among girls in elementary school.
Funded by the Libro Credit Union Prosperity Fund, YoCWR’s HackerGrrlz initiative connects girls with female mentors working in the tech sector.
“Passion about science and technology is contagious,’’ said Stephanie Rozek, program director of YoCWR. “By acting as role models, mentors in HackerGrrlz can make a huge difference in getting young girls excited about the possibilities of working in the science and tech sectors.”
Libro, which has 31 branches across southwestern Ontario, awarded the program $50,000 last October.
“HackerGrrlz aligns well with Libro’s interests in supporting creative strategies that contribute to social well-being and growing prosperity across the region,” said Martin Kihle, Libro’s Regional Manager of Kitchener-Waterloo. “This is a terrific project that addresses a huge need in our community: women are under-represented in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math.”
Launched last July, YoCWR wants to increase digital literacy in Waterloo Region and improve access to education for groups that face barriers to entry in tech careers. Its events and projects also raise the region’s profile as a global tech centre.
Year of Code Waterloo Region is a project of Capacity Canada. It will continue as Hive Waterloo Region later this year.
Mentors and students participating in HackerGrrlz will meet to explore coding, science and the technology behind every-day devices. The first pilot session will begin this spring.
YoCWR needs schools and mentors for HackerGrrlz. Those interested in participating please email hello @ yocwr.ca for more details.
Contact info, YoCWR:
Stephanie Rozek, Project Director,
Year of Code Waterloo Region,
Telephone: (226) 476.1954 x2
[email protected]
Contact info, Libro Credit Union:
Chad Lovell, Communications Manager
Telephone: (519) 672.0130 ext. 4423
[email protected]
About Year of Code Waterloo Region:
The Year of Code Waterloo Region (#YoCWR) is a one-year initiative to increase digital literacy of 250,000+ people in Waterloo Region. #YoCWR was born out of a conversation between two leading tech organizations (Hackademy Canada and Communitech). We are leading the work to increase access to technological learning, and to shine a spotlight on tech learning opportunities, organizations, and facilities in the region. #YoCWR is a charitable project of Capacity Canada. Major supporters are Communitech, Microsoft and Libro Credit Union. For more information please visit yocwr.ca.
About Libro Credit Union
Libro is Ontario’s third largest credit union with $3.6 billion in assets under administration and more than 100,000 Owners across southwestern Ontario. As a co-operative financial institution with more than 70 years of history, Libro supports the well-being of people, businesses and communities by providing high-quality financial coaching and profit sharing. Recognized as a 2016 Platinum Level Aon Best Employer in Canada, Libro is proud to support The Prosperity Project, which aims to grow prosperity in southwestern Ontario by mobilizing and inspiring collaboration, strengthening the financial health of people, families and businesses, and investing in our communities to help the region prosper together. Libro offers a full range of financial products and services for consumers, businesses and farms, including savings and chequing, investing, and borrowing. Great service can be experienced through 31 branches, online, telephone, mobile devices and a network of 4,000 ATMs across Canada. For more information, visit libro.ca/media.
About Capacity Canada
Capacity Canada is a national registered charity that brings together the ideas, people and resources that fuel social innovation. Our vision is to change lives through courageous community organizations that excel. We are accomplishing this by providing non-profit leaders new resources and professional support that enhances leadership skills, stimulates cross-sector collaboration, promotes knowledge sharing, and encourages social innovation. For more information please visit capacitycanada.ca.
