‘Hackathon for social good’ welcomes local girls on April 1

Women and Girls Fund organizes program for grades 4-8

TORRINGTON >> The Women & Girls Fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation in collaboration with Random Hacks of Kindness Jr. is hosting a “hackathon” for social good for local girls in grades 4-8 on Saturday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Memorial Building.

Mayor Elinor Carbone of Torrington will welcome the girls, and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty will speak to them about STEM education. Volunteer mentors from local high schools will work with younger girls to devise smartphone applications that address a range of problems facing local nonprofits. At the conclusion of the program, participants will be recognized for their achievements in innovation, creativity, and potential success.

Organized by the executive committee of The Women & Girls Fund and Patrice Gans, Director of RHoK Jr., the Hackathon introduces students to technology and demonstrates how it can benefit nonprofit organizations.

The goal of the event is two-fold: 1) to bring together various local organizations serving women and girls in Northwest CT to raise awareness in the community of the resources available to women and girls, 2) to expose girls to the joy of programming and perhaps shape their interest in STEM-related careers at a young age, which can increase their education and career opportunities.

“Participants will be working with computer science mentors to create technology for social good,” Gans explained. “By the end of the day we hope they will see how technology can have a positive impact on someone’s life.”

“Coding is more than a computer game,” said Gans. “Technology really has a purpose.”

Participating Nonprofit organizations include: Winsted Area Child Care Center, Stronger Women/ Stronger World 5k, Community Health and Wellness Center, McCall Center for Behavioral Health, Susan B. Anthony Project, Prime Time House, Brooker Memorial, Food Rescue US, League of Women Voters, Housatonic Youth Service Bureau, and Fortunate Blessings Foundation. Representatives of the nonprofits will educate the participating girls about the work of their organizations.

Northwest CT girls can register to participate at www.rhokjr.org. The event is free, and lunch and refreshments will be provided. The registration deadline is March 23.

The Women & Girls Fund, established in 1999, brings together local philanthropy to address issues affecting women and girls and strives to empower the women and girls in our communities to reach their full potential. The fund seeks to strengthen the community by partnering with women led nonprofit and business organizations in northwest Connecticut to sponsor events like this “hackathon.”

Random Hacks of Kindness Jr. Inc. was developed by 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.

For more information about the program contact Patrice Gans at reesegans@gmail.com.