LEARNBreaking Barriers, Building Tech Futures
Firme Coding provides formerly incarcerated individuals with digital literacy, critical thinking, and introductory coding education, preparing them for pathways to higher education, advanced tech programs, or employment. This grant will help us expand access, deepen impact, and grow a supportive tech learning community.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Adult literacy
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
Formerly incarcerated individuals face systemic barriers to entering the tech industry, from lack of digital literacy to stigma. Many tech programs assume baseline digital knowledge. Firme Coding meets people where they are, providing foundational education and community support so they can access these high-opportunity careers.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
Firme Coding delivers an 8-week digital literacy course, a 12-week critical thinking and problem-solving module, and a 15-week coding program using SwiftUI. Fellows also receive mentorship from tech professionals and alumni support. This grant will expand our capacity to serve more fellows, offer stipends, and build partnerships with local employers for internships and jobs.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
If successful, LA County will have a growing pipeline of formerly incarcerated individuals entering higher education and tech careers. Fellows will experience improved economic mobility and self-confidence. In the long term, we will create a model that can be replicated statewide.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 50
Indirect Impact: 200