Hackathon
Case Study & Outcomes
Program Overview
The Hack The Gap Bridge Program was a paid opportunity for young adults, ages 18-24 who identify as women, non-binary and BiPOC, to develop new and existing technical skills through real projects and get access to career development opportunities. Ramsey County Residents get $750 stipend after they complete the program.
It was a 4 week intro into tech using a hackathon model in which participants were split into teams with specific projects. Over the course of the program they were able to learn about technology as well as build up professional resources like their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. We also supported them in building their networks and other career skills through mentorship.
Impact
Over 200 People Reached
202 people have participated in the Hack The Gap Bridge Program. This group of people had the opportunity to use technology to ideate and solve for deep problems within our community.
Over 70% Of Our Participants Identify as Women or Non-binary
The tech industy is a traditionally male-dominated industry; this is bad for representation. Our Hack The Gap program did not want to repeat this pattern. We are glad that 72% of our participants are women or non-binary individuals.
Economic Relief For Young Adults
This program also acted as a source of economic relief for the young adults who participated. The majority of our participants were college students and people who may have lost jobs or internships due to COVID-19. This opportunity gave them the ability to earn money whilst developing technical skills that will be beneficial for them in the future
Projects That Make A Difference
Building A Website For A Black-Owned Coffee Shop (Golden Thyme)
The goal of this project was to build a website for a local black-owned Coffee Shop called Golden Thyme. Cohort 3 came together, met with the owners of the shop and created a digital experience that proved useful for the
Reimagining Community Spaces - St. Paul Ford Plant
This project required recognizing and appreciating the history of the twin cities’ indigenous communities by creating a gathering space around the plant that reflected this. The idea was formed to create a hybrid museum and library. An amazing place that merges community, culture, and appreciation.
Creating A New E-commerce Experience
This project focused on helping Shin Afric, a local homemade essentials business that specializes in Ankara tumblers, create an amazing e-commerce experience that fully highlighted their story, values, mission, and ankara fabrics. This team collaborated with the founders of Shin Afric to create a transformational e-commerce experience.
We Are Thankful to the following organizations
Our Mentors
Fabi Gutierrez
What is your favorite hackathon memory
My favorite hackathon memory was getting to participate in my first hackathon. My first hackathon was virtual, so it may not be the typical hackathon experience, but I had a lot of fun listening to other people's ideas and watching their demo
Ashley Scott
What tech project are you working on right now?:
I'm currently learning React hooks and Python. I'm hoping in the near future to implement hooks on the front end of an application and Python on the back end.
Virginia Del A Riva
Proudest Tech Accomplishment: Going back to school to become a Full Stack Web Developer and starting a new career as a software developer.
Mohamed Aden
What tech project are you working on right now?
Currently building my personal website using GatsbyJS, and learning more about DevOps tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Jenkins.
What's your favorite Hackathon memory?
Presenting our project (a mentorship-like website for underrepresented minorities in tech to connect with leaders in the field) at CodeSwitch 2019!
Rashad Tiam Watt
Project I am working on:I just recently graduated with a Landscape Architecture degree and a certificate in Environmental Studies this past spring. Currently, at Hack-the-Gap, I am working with two cohorts, working on separate projects on re-imagining community spaces using technology. We are using a software called SketchUp to visualize, in 3D, design intents driven by evidence the cohorts found during their research and analysis.
What's your favorite Hackathon memory?
I have only been to one thus far, but perhaps, meeting people and learning what their projects are all about is such a fun part of the process.
Kit Kogan
What's your hidden talent? I'm really good at untying knots!
What's your proudest tech accomplishment? Graduating from Prime Digital Academy last spring
What People Are Saying
“I am literally so grateful for the $750 the Bridge Program gave me. I currently do not have a job so finances are really stressful and I often get anxious because I don’t know how/where my next dollar is going to come from or how I’m going to be able to financially survive and support both myself and my fiancé. I am so grateful for Mase Santos for telling me about this opportunity and truly, deeply feel so thankful and grateful for the money. It has also opened me up to the idea of looking for job opportunities in tech which I would never have done without doing this.”
—Participant
“My experience was amazing. It was one of the best things I've ever done. My team was incredible. I loved meeting new people, connecting, and collaborating creatively with them. We were so supportive and proud of each other.”
—Participant
“My favorite thing about this program was being introduced to SketchUp. I was able to take the basics from the videos provided and then also teach myself a lot by just spending time on the application. I also see myself continuing to use SketchUp in the future for school and work.”
— Participant
“I loved learning about Computer-Assisted Design”
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“I plan on using this knowledge to build my own personal website”
“Hopefully this project will be helpful to as many people as possible.”
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