WE Connect the Dots

We Connect Students, Teachers, Parents and Industry Experts to Create Amazing Learning Experiences

Organization OVERVIEW

We Connect The Dots is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering students with hands-on opportunities to develop essential STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) skills. Through collaboration with educators, industry leaders, and community partners, we design programs and events that inspire creativity, foster innovation, and cultivate critical thinking. Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and the demands of the modern workforce, equipping young people with the tools and confidence to thrive in the digital economy.

Mission Statement

Empowering individuals, especially those from underrepresented and underserved communities, with a focus on young adults aged 13-18 and adults over 18. Our mission is to ignite passion and knowledge in modern-day skills such as coding, cybersecurity, business automation, and more, emphasizing the pillars of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). Through robust partnerships with community leaders, educational institutions, government agencies, and industry pioneers, we strive to bridge the gap between the demands of the 21st-century workforce and the opportunities that await those who embrace a STEAM-driven path. With a commitment to making a difference at local, national, and global scales, our programs are designed to foster an insatiable thirst for learning, enabling participants to carve their unique routes to achievement.

Vision Statement

To build a world where individuals from all backgrounds have equitable access to high-quality STEAM education and career opportunities. We strive to inspire and empower the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world, fostering a culture of innovation, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Core Competencies

Transformative Training Solutions: We excel in crafting and delivering impactful training programs tailored to address the specific needs of our community. With instructors who bring both industry expertise and real-world experience, we ensure every session drives measurable results.

Innovative Curriculum Design: Our expertise lies in developing dynamic, engaging, and standards-aligned curriculum materials. By integrating cutting-edge methodologies and best practices, we create learning experiences that resonate with diverse audiences and achieve targeted outcomes.

Next-Generation Digital Learning: Embracing the digital age, we offer state-of-the-art e-learning solutions, including interactive courses, engaging webinars, and multimedia resources. Our digital platforms empower learners to access knowledge anytime, anywhere.

Comprehensive Certification Pathways: We design and deliver robust certification programs that equip individuals with the credentials and competencies needed to thrive in their respective fields. Our approach ensures participants gain both knowledge and confidence to excel.

What Sets Us Apart

Tailored Industry Solutions: We Connect the Dots specializes in designing customized training programs that cater to the unique needs of each sector, ensuring maximum relevance and results.

Unmatched Expertise: Our team of instructors and consultants are seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge and real-world experience, equipping learners to face future challenges with confidence.

Tech-Driven Innovation: We embrace cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging learning experiences and prepare students with advanced tools for success in the tech-driven world.

Metrics

UPSKILL PROGRAM:

Population Served:

  • Female: 41.67%

  • Male: 58.33%

    • Asian or Pacific Islander: 10.41%

    • Black or African American: 50.04%

    • Hispanic or Latino: 31.25%

    • White / Caucasian: 8.33%

HACK-A-THON PROGRAM:

  • 91% U.S. students; 9% International

  • Male: 63%, Female: 37%

  • Over 1000 students from 50+ schools

AI SUMMER PROGRAM

  • National program participants in the AI Summer Program

    • Virginia: 77.78%

    • New York: 11.11%

    • Pennsylvania: 5.56%

    • Maryland: 5.55%

  • Male: 77.8%, Female: 22.2%

  • Age Distribution: Ages 14 to 18

Student Testimonials: 

  • "The challenge was incredible, it really exposed me to things I didn't know before. Today I'm okay with cloud technologies and can work with them effectively. Thanks to AWS for helping in making it all possible."

  • "I loved the Keynote Speaker presentations, especially Intro to Machine Learning. It's a concept that I didn't think about before and I saw a new world of opportunities to explore" 

  • "We Connect The Dots is a great option for anyone looking to learn how to code. I am a high school student and returning alumni to the annual Code-A-Thon. As a result, I have passed my Microsoft Introduction to Programming using HTML and CSS exam."

Contracts Awarded

  • NYS DOL CFA WDI Round 2 UWT: Contract #: DOL01-C21346GG-3550000

    • Award Amount: $249,450

  • NYS DOL CFA UWT: Contract #: DOL01-C19303GG-3550000

    • Award Amount: $196,010

Past Performance

Suffolk County Department of Labor The initial UpSkill training program was made possible with funding support from SCDOL, targeting unemployed and disconnected youth aged 18-24. Since that foundational launch, the program has expanded nationally, now in its eighth iteration, having trained over 200 participants across multiple states. This initiative equips individuals with entry-level tech skills, portfolio development, and valuable work experience with both local and national organizations.

New York State Department of Labor With additional grant funding from NYSDOL, we expanded our efforts to train over 200 New York State residents in entry-level tech career paths, with a primary focus on Microsoft Business Automation. This funding enabled participants to earn the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals certification, significantly enhancing their credentials and employability in the tech industry.

Annual Hackathon Program: Preparing Students and Educators for the Modern Workforce Now in its 10th year, our Annual Hackathon Program is a cornerstone initiative designed to engage students early and provide critical exposure to opportunities in the modern workforce. By immersing participants aged 13-18 in coding, modern web development, and entrepreneurial skills, this program not only increases awareness of STEAM careers but also equips students and educators with practical, real-world skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.

Participants work collaboratively to create conceptual businesses aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, fostering innovation and a sense of global responsibility. Developed in partnership with industry leaders such as Microsoft, Amazon, Adobe, and Google, the program ensures that students and teachers gain access to cutting-edge knowledge and tools directly applicable to the workforce of the future.

The Hackathon Program also serves as a powerful, cost-free resource for school districts nationwide, offering educators a dynamic way to integrate modern workforce skills into their classrooms. By building this bridge between education and industry, we empower schools to inspire the next generation of innovators, ensuring equitable access to high-quality STEAM education and workforce readiness opportunities.

Long Island Community Foundation With funding support, our organization expanded its reach to a broader audience of dual-language and Spanish-speaking students in Long Island, NY. This support enabled us to develop and deliver a Spanish-language curriculum for our annual Hackathon Program, empowering students aged 13-18 to learn coding and entrepreneurial skills. The initiative also facilitated the creation of our online Learning Management System and live instructor-led sessions, fostering innovation and career readiness among these communities.

Microsoft Collaborating with corporations like Microsoft is essential for providing early exposure to career paths in STEAM. Through our “Discovery Day at Microsoft” program, held at Microsoft’s Times Square facility from 2016 to 2019, we introduced over 1,000 young adults, educators, and administrators to the vast opportunities in technology careers. This immersive experience showcased real-world applications of technology, inspiring participants to envision their future in STEAM fields and encouraging educators to integrate applied math and technology into their classrooms to better prepare students for the workforce.+

City of Charlotte, NC: Collaborative Program Development for Lasting Impact Our partnership with the City of Charlotte exemplifies our ability to collaborate with community leaders to enhance existing programs and develop new initiatives that create lasting impact. As part of the City of Charlotte’s Mayoral Summer Program, we designed the "Tech Charlotte" program to build on a longstanding internship initiative, introducing participants to in-demand tech career paths.

Through this collaborative effort, we not only expanded the program's scope but also provided participants with hands-on opportunities to apply their skills through impactful internships with nonprofit organizations. This approach fostered real-world learning experiences while addressing workforce development needs, demonstrating the power of partnerships in creating programs that drive meaningful, sustainable outcomes for communities.

CreatingSTEAM and CreatingIDEAS Programs: Inspiring Career Confidence Through Innovation and Industry Engagement. Our CreatingSTEAM and CreatingIDEAS programs reflect our deep understanding of the evolving landscape of innovation and our ability to design impactful programs that prepare young adults for the future workforce. These annual summer programs serve approximately 85 participants aged 13-18, providing immersive experiences that foster awareness and engagement with cutting-edge industries.

CreatingSTEAM cultivates entrepreneurial skills, empowering students to think critically and creatively about solutions for the modern economy. Meanwhile, CreatingIDEAS introduces participants to video game design and development, a growing and dynamic field at the intersection of technology and creativity. Hosted in collaboration with school districts and universities, these programs bridge education and industry by incorporating curriculum co-designed by leading partners.

By exposing young adults to real-world applications and engaging them in hands-on experiences, we create opportunities for them to connect emotionally with potential career paths. This approach not only sparks excitement for emerging roles in STEM and STEAM but also builds the confidence and interest necessary to inspire lifelong learning and success in the modern workforce.

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