LA HI-TECH & HHF Launch CSL in L.A.

HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION, AS PART OF LA HI-TECH, LAUNCHES ‘CODE AS A SECOND LANGUAGE’ (CSL) INITIATIVE IN LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES, CA– Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), as part of The Los Angeles High Impact Information Technology, Entertainment & Entrepreneurship, and Communications Hubs (LA HI-TECH), is launching the Code as a Second Language (CSL) initiative in Los Angeles schools in an effort to engage, introduce, and teach computer coding to high school students. HHF and LA HI-TECH are creating a pathway for students to enter a career in technology to create a farm system of tech talent in the Los Angeles area.

“In order to provide America with a value proposition through youth, we need to work backwards from what America needs most,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “Today and in the future, the need is the STEM fields and especially in technology, yet only one out of 10 schools teaches computer coding. We are proud to be part of LA HI-TECH and launch this important effort to help provide our community but moreover our country with a stronger workforce and more innovative minds going forward.”

 HHF will launch CSL initiative as part of LA HI-TECH’s “Summer Tech Academies” where they will host high school students at local community colleges.

LOFT CSL Summer Tech Academies will be held at the following locations:

 Pasadena City College

* July 13th – 17th, 2015; Monday-Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm

Santa Monica College

* August 3rd to August 7th, Monday-Thursday, 1:30 – 3:30pm

* August 10th to August 13th, Monday-Thursday, 1:30 – 3:30pm

About LA HI-TECH

Regional Consortium embeds elements and mechanisms of a vibrant ecosystem to sustain the economic vitality of a skilled and competitive workforce that contributes to the economic growth of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry in Los Angeles. Eight (8) Community Colleges will work with sixteen (16) high schools affecting approximately three thousand six hundred (3600) students linked to three identified career pathways in ICT. (Visit www.lahitech.org)

About CSL

The CSL concept is that in order to thrive in America’s workforce, youth need to learn the language of code the way they learned English. CSL instructors, or CSL Fellows, are members of HHF’s Leaders On Fast Track (LOFT) Network and “eco-system” of talent. CSL effort includes a customized course based on: identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) in collaboration with school; baseline survey of students’ knowledge to test progress throughout CSL course; guest speakers from tech industry; customized sessions depending on school schedule; hands-on assistance for students working on course material outside of class time; soft skill development such as leadership and collaboration; work-based learning such as building actual products and present them to peers; and certifications upon completion. The students will also be funneled to the LOFTnetwork.org for ongoing on-line instruction and connected to other students, mentors, networking, resources, STEM-related events, and later potential internships and full-time positions with Fortune 500 companies. This summer, CSL is being taught at the Mexican Consulate in San Jose and Washington, DC, as pilots for a broader effort to teach immigrants how to code from the time they arrive in the United States. To learn more about CSL or to request CSL come to a school or community, visit www.loftcsl.org.

About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF’s award-winning LOFT (Leaders On Fast Track) leadership and workforce development program is divided into 10 “Tracks,” or fields including Innovation & Technology, Science, Healthcare, Engineering, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Education, Public Service, Media & Entertainment, and Latinas. HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Los Angeles, Miami, New York and the LOFT Institute is housed at Michigan State University (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org.)

Contact: Alberto Avalos, Alberto@LOFTinstitute.org, 323.397.9862