Dream Academy, Google, YWCA, Future Citizens Foundation, and Hispanic Heritage Foundation to Host 1st ‘Harvest Hack’ on October 19 in Salinas Valley, CA

More than 100 Area Students to Participate in Hackathon at Hartnell College

Salinas Valley, CA – The Salinas Valley Dream Academy, Google, YWCA, Future Citizens Foundation and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation will host the first “Harvest Hacks” hackathon for over featuring 150 Salinas Valley students on October 19, 8 am – 6 pm at Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave, Salinas, CA.

Harvest Hacks will provide Salinas middle and high school students with the opportunity to dive into technology and experience the wide array of opportunities that the tech field offers. The goal is to bridge the technology gap- to spark an interest in underrepresented students in coding, app and game design, and software development. The program will bring together computer programmers and others, involved in software development, including graphic designers, interface designers, and project managers.

The program is also offering an introductory track for students with little to no coding experience. They will be introduced to coding and exposed to the many opportunities that exist in STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Check out the many BENEFITS of participating in a Hackathon. There is also a competitive track for students with some code experience who want to compete on teams with other students for great prizes.

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is thrilled to support the mission of the Dream Academy and the first Harvest Hacks in Salinas Valley,” said Antonio Tijerino, HHF President and CEO, and on the Dream Academy Advisory Board. “This concept was led by Ruben Pizzaro and his son Marco who is a high school student in an effort to engage and develop Salinas youths’ interest in coding. There is a tremendous amount of talent in Salinas Valley which is only an hour south of Silicon Valley where there is a tremendous need for tech talent.  The Dream Academy is up to the task of connecting those dots.”

Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Code as a Second Language (CSL) program will engage 100,000 students to learn to code through a partnership with Google and the YWCA.  After learning to code, participating students are then funneled into and tracked through the LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) leadership and workforce program for further development, connectivity to mentors and others into coding, and placement into the workforce including the tech industry.

About the Salinas Valley Dream Academy

The Salinas Valley Dream Academy is a nonprofit, youth leadership organization which inspires, engages, and empowers high school students to strive for higher education while at the same time becoming active participants and servant leaders in their community. It is composed of 100 students each year from throughout the Salinas Valley who participate in various activities and life-changing experiences designed to sharpen their understanding of the potential they have to live powerful lives and positively impact the community around them.

 About Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a national nonprofit which inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org) Follow HHF on Facebook and Twitter. 

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