PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
Codefy Foundation offers a wide variety of programs to support indigenous youth.
Codefy Foundation aims to provide resources to lift and advance the talent within the communities it serves and cultivate a diverse generation of problem solvers through technology. Codefy Foundation engages a holistic approach to accomplishing its vision, which includes certification programs for young adults, technology support, mental health resources, internet resources, as well as early education in technology.
Training Programs
The Native American and Alaska Native communities face a severe underrepresentation in the tech industry. They account for only 0.3% of the engineering workforce (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering report) despite making up 2.9% of the U.S population, 6.34% of Arizona’s population and 21.86% of Alaska’s population (U.S Census Bureau). When this gap is addressed, it would not only lead to increased innovation and profitability for the tech industry, but also create technology solutions for the indigenous community.
Codefy Foundation collaborates with Codefy LLC to empower young adults from indigenous communities by supporting training in software development. As a social impact venture, Codefy focuses on providing a culturally sensitive 3-month coding program at no cost for young adults from Native American and Alaska Native communities and facilitating job placements within the tech industry. This initiative aims to create unconventional pathways to entry-level software jobs and contributes to increased diversity and inclusion in the tech sector.
Technology Support
Codefy Foundation supports Indigenous youth by providing computers since it is essential for fostering educational equity and technological empowerment. Access to computers enables Indigenous youth to bridge the digital divide, ensuring they have equal opportunities to engage with educational resources, online learning platforms, and digital skill development. By equipping them with this technology, we empower Indigenous youth to explore their creativity, enhance their digital literacy, and participate actively in the globalized digital landscape.
Moreover, computers play a pivotal role in preserving and sharing Indigenous cultures. These devices facilitate the documentation of traditional knowledge, languages, and cultural practices, contributing to the preservation of rich and diverse heritage. In the context of education, computers provide tools for learning coding and other technological skills, preparing Indigenous youth for future careers in STEM fields. In essence, providing computers to Indigenous youth is an investment in education, cultural preservation, and empowerment, paving the way for a more inclusive and technologically proficient future.
Internet Resources
Codefy Foundation aims to support indigenous youth who need access to the internet either through broadband/DSL or satellite internet.
The underdevelopment of internet infrastructure in indigenous communities is primarily attributed to a confluence of geographical hurdles, economic constraints, and regulatory complexities. Many tribal lands are located in remote and rugged terrains, making the installation of traditional terrestrial infrastructure prohibitively expensive and logistically challenging. Limited financial resources within tribal communities further hinder the investment required for comprehensive internet infrastructure development. Regulatory issues, involving jurisdictional complexities between tribal, state, and federal entities, add bureaucratic obstacles, impeding the timely expansion of connectivity services.
Satellite internet emerges as a promising solution to these challenges. Unlike traditional terrestrial infrastructure, satellite internet, such as services offered by companies like Starlink, operates independently of ground-based networks. This makes it an efficient and cost-effective option for connecting remote tribal areas. The satellite's ability to cover vast geographical expanses ensures that even isolated communities can access reliable internet connectivity. This technology sidesteps the need for extensive physical infrastructure, overcoming the geographical barriers that have historically hindered internet development in indigenous communities. Satellite internet, with its versatility, scalability, and independence from ground-based infrastructure, holds the potential to bridge the digital divide and empower tribal communities by providing them with vital access to information and opportunities.
Mental Health Support
Native American/Alaskan Native students in higher education face additional challenges in maintaining their academic programs due to mental health. Struggles with mental health involve past generational and historical trauma from colonialism often lead to higher rates of suicide, unemployment, and lower college persistence rates that negatively affect the overall experience of Native American students in higher education. Non-native institutions are often ill-equipped to serve Native American/Alaskan Native students including providing mental health services, as they were created for assimilation, contradicting the values of Native American/Alaskan Native students enrolled in higher education. Codefy Foundation aims to partner with Native owned therapy practices to provide services for indigenous youth.
Resources:
All My Relations (Podcast)
Native and Indigenous Communities and Mental Health by Mental Health America (MHA)
StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-762-8483)
This Helpline is a confidential and anonymous culturally appropriate domestic violence and dating violence for Native Americans, available every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT.
Trauma Recovery Services of Arizona (TRSAZ) is an Indigenous, woman-owned and operated mental health services clinic.
