Code Rising

Today is , and we are inviting you to support Code Rising.

We are a free, STEAM-intensive workforce preparation program serving students and families in Alexandria. We provide hands-on learning in robotics, AI, and cybersecurity, along with mentorship, technology, and wrap-around support so students can access real opportunities in the fastest-growing careers in our economy.

In the past year alone, we’ve served over 80 students monthly, awarded $13,500 in scholarships, and provided free MacBooks to high school students so they can continue learning beyond our program.

We are working to eliminate the barriers that too often prevent students from accessing STEAM education—whether that’s transportation, meals, technology, or exposure to real career pathways.

Today, your support helps us continue this work and expand opportunities for students who deserve access, confidence, and a pathway into the future.

If you are able, we would be deeply grateful for your support today: https://www.spring2action.org/organization/coderisingalx

Thank you so much!

Who needs to be at the table to build a STEAM ecosystem that prepares every student for the future workforce?

This week at SXSW EDU, we will explore how gaming, industry partnerships, and culturally responsive teaching can unlock STEAM career pathways for historically underrepresented students.

During the SXSW EDU and SXSW crossover day, our CEO, Michelle Millben, will lead a conversation on what it takes to build effective STEAM ecosystems that connect students to real workforce opportunities.

Drawing from Code Rising’s work in Alexandria, Virginia, this session will highlight a holistic model that blends culturally responsive teaching, bilingual support, social-emotional learning, and industry exposure to create belonging in technical spaces. We will also explore how skills developed through gaming can serve as an entry point to a wide range of careers in STEAM. Participants will learn how educators, universities, and STEAM industry partners can work together to build scalable STEAM ecosystems that expand opportunity for every student, no matter their neighborhood.

🗓️ Thursday, March 12, 2026
⏰ 11:30am – 12:15pm CT
📍 Austin Marriott Downtown – Waterloo Ballroom 5–6

Joining the panel: Kirk Knutsen, Code Rising instructor and Virginia Tech PhD candidate; Latoya Asia Smith, Vice President – Employee Experience & Talent Strategy at Dominion Energy; and Joe Thompson, Senior Software Developer on Amazon.com GameLift Servers.

If you will be at SXSW EDU, we would love to see you there: https://schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP1161888

Happy Holidays from all of us at Code Rising!

We are so thankful for our students, families, instructors, partners, and community who continue to show up with heart and the spirit of this joyous season.

Wishing you peace, joy, and rest this holiday season.

Today is , and we’re celebrating the incredible students who make Code Rising’s work possible.

✨ If you want to support K–12 STEM access, this is the most meaningful day to give.

➡️ Give today at www.coderising.org

Your gift fuels opportunity, digital literacy, and future-ready skills for students across our community.

Thank you for investing in STEM education, youth empowerment, and a more equitable digital future.

This , we are building the future alongside Alexandria’s students, and we’re inviting you to learn more and join us.

This fall, Greet Del Ray Magazine featured Code Rising's bold three-year partnership with Casa Chirilagua. We are delivering year-round, bilingual STEAM programming for students in the Chirilagua neighborhood!

Since launching in 2024, we’ve grown from 41 students to 82 students, so our need continues to rise. With your support, we can keep removing barriers so every child can learn, build, and lead, at no cost to families or our partners at Casa Chirilagua.

Your Giving Tuesday gift provides:

• Free technology and laptops
• Paid stipends for high school apprentices
• Snacks and hot meals
• Free transportation
• Instructors, mentors, and industry partners

Our mission is simple: Expand opportunity. Equip young people. Build the future together.

To learn more, visit the following link to read our 2025 Summer Impact Report: https://bit.ly/CodeRisingSummerImpactReport

Thank you for sharing our work in Alexandria, Greet Del Ray!



⠀
Este Giving Tuesday, estamos construyendo el futuro junto a los jóvenes de Alexandria — y te invitamos a unirte a nosotros.

Este otoño, la revista Greet Del Ray destacó la audaz alianza de tres años entre Code Rising y Casa Chirilagua para ofrecer programación STEAM bilingüe durante todo el año a los estudiantes del vecindario de Chirilagua.

Desde 2024, hemos crecido de 41 estudiantes a 82 estudiantes, y la demanda sigue aumentando. Con tu apoyo, podemos seguir eliminando barreras para que cada niño pueda aprender, crear y liderar — sin costo alguno para las familias.

Tu donación este Giving Tuesday ayuda a proporcionar:

• Tecnología y computadoras portátiles
• Estipendios para estudiantes de secundaria
• Refrigerios y comidas calientes
• Transporte gratuito
• Instructores, mentores y profesionales de la industria

Nuestra misión es simple: Ampliar oportunidades. Capacitar a los jóvenes. Construir el futuro juntos.

Para obtener más información, visite el siguiente enlace para leer nuestro Informe de impacto del verano de 2025: https://bit.ly/CodeRisingSummerImpactReport

We rise by working together. 🤝💛

The real impact is in the photos and videos we are sharing of our students coding, collaborating, problem-solving, designing, building, learning, and rising together.

This is how we prepare young people for the future: together.

Swipe to see how we give back at no cost to students, families, and our nonprofit partners:�
💻 Free MacBooks and computers�
🍎 Free meals and snacks�
🚌 Free transportation�
🎓 Advanced-degree instructors�
🤝 No-cost programming to Casa Chirilagua & Space of Her Own (SOHO)�
⚙️ Technology upgrades�
📍 Full logistical support�
📊 Expanded opportunities for students

This is what community-powered STEM education looks like. We hope you will join us!�Learn more at www.coderising.org.

PS: Have you ever said "67" in front of a middle school student? Volume up, please! You're about to hear and see what happens when Team "67" wins a coding Kahoot :)

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful. 🧡
Grateful for our students.
Grateful for our families.
Grateful for our community partners.

Because of you, students access high-quality STEM learning for free, at no cost to themselves, their families, or our nonprofit partners.

We are grateful for YOU this Thanksgiving Day.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Code Rising family! 🦃

📸 Here are a few photos of some of the outstanding champions who fill our hearts with gratitude today. Cynthia C. Nicole Bradley LaTasha Corprew