Young hackers to meet virtually to help nonprofits

WOODBURY — Random Hacks of Kindness Jr. is hosting a virtual hackathon focusing on food insecurity, which has become a global crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marla Martin, from the Woodbury Community Services Council will speak to the participants about the impact of the virus on the community’s food needs, according to a statement.

The program, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 30, is open to students in grade 4 through 8. The event also is open to the public and requires no prior coding experience.

Using Zoom, students will work in pairs with mentors who are students from CCSU’s Computer Science Club to create prototype smartphone apps (using the online app block programming language APP LAB from Code.org).

RHoK Jr.is a great opportunity for high school and college students studying computer science to mentor and inspire younger students while giving nonprofit groups a technological boost.

Random Hacks of Kindness Jr. Inc. was developed by Patrice Gans as an opportunity to empower and inspire youth to use technology for social good.

Gans, a technology educator, organized the first Random Hacks of Kindness Jr. event at the Fraser Woods Montessori School in Newtown in May 2013. Since then, nearly 1,500 students from across Connecticut have come together to create apps for nonprofits in their communities, according to the statement.

“Our events are geared to providing students with opportunities in computer programming in schools, after-school programs and other settings,” Gans said.

“Coding is more than a computer game,” she added. “Technology really has a purpose.”

Mentors and representatives from the nonprofit organizations will have the opportunity to educate the participating students about the work of their organizations.

The goal of the event for the participating nonprofit groups, Gans stressed, is not fundraising or “free labor,” but technological innovation.

Pre-registration is required. The registration fee is $10. Participants may register by going to RHoKJr’s website at https://rhokjr.org/ For additional information, contact Patrice Gans at pbgans@rhokjr.org.

Go Red for Women fundraiser Feb. 11

NEW HAVEN — The American Heart Association’s annual New Haven Go Red For Women event, presented by Yale New Haven Health, will be Feb. 11. This year it will be a digital experience focusing on women’s heart health.

It will provide women with information, education and awareness they need to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Serving as chair of the event, Lisa Freed, M.D., general cardiologist and director of the Women’s Heart and Vascular Program at Yale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, will lead volunteers, survivors and business leaders to help raise funds to support Go Red for Women.

Money raised will go toward research and education to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke in Connecticut.

“Heart disease is still sometimes thought of as a man’s disease, although the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States,” said Dr. Lisa Freed.

“Despite increases in awareness over the past decade, only 54% of women recognize that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. This event will help to empower women to take charge of their heart health and save lives.”

The Go Red event will kick off at 6 p.m. with an educational program featuring a keynote address, an inspiring survivor story, a fundraising appeal and several health experts sharing educational information from Yale New Haven Health.

A silent auction will also be featured.

This year’s New Haven Go Red For Women campaign will also feature a STEM Goes Red digital event in conjunction with Yale New Haven Health.

STEM Goes Red, an extension of the Go Red For Women movement, fosters young women’s interests in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and encourages them to explore careers in those disciplines.

On Feb. 3, more than 75 students from around Connecticut will participate in a digital event featuring mentor speakers from various STEM careers. There will also be an interactive science trivia game. Dr. Freed will also lead the STEM event.

Although women fill close to half of all the jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25% of jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

By encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM fields, the American Heart Association aims to help spur the next generation of scientists and researchers to save millions of women from heart disease and stroke.

Roughly 12 women die each day from cardiovascular disease and stroke in Connecticut; approximately 80 percent of these deaths are preventable.

“The goal is to close the gender gap in STEM fields and to inspire these students to become advocates for women’s heart health,” Dr. Freed said. “These future innovators will interact with leaders and mentors in STEM and will be transformed, knowing they can have an impact in their world by following in those leaders’ footsteps.”

To attend the 2021 New Haven Go Red For Women digital event or for sponsorship information, call Todd Boe at the American Heart Association, 203-295-2941.

Police departments collecting diapers

Bare Necessities, a nonprofit organization adding the needy, is hosting the fourth annual Law Enforcement Diaper Drive. It kicks off Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Branford Police Department, 33 Laurel St., Branford. Masks and social distancing are required.

Other participating police departments include Clinton, Connecticut State Police Troop F, East Haven, Guilford, Madison and North Branford.

Donations may be dropped off anytime at any of the participating police departments or at the Madison Coffee House at 724 Boston Post Road in Madison.