JANUARY 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 21
PRESS BUSINESS
WE CONNECT THE DOTS
FOSTERING FUTURE INNOVATORS
BY MAIA VINES
We Connect the Dots has been inspiring
and creating opportunities
for underprivileged children and
young adults interested in science,
technology, engineering, arts, and
math (STEAM) since 2013.
With women making up only 27 percent
of the nation’s computer science professionals,
the Westbury organization was
created to include more women; its mission
has expanded since then. Students
can form career goals and receive real
world experience through innovative
programs. Most participating students
are from the tristate area, specifically
Nassau and Suffolk County.
“We help under-utilized populations
find out about these opportunities and
learn about the skills that they really
need,” said Laurie Carey, founder of
WCTD.
The nonprofit’s virtual coding programs
teach computational skills
necessary for a career in STEAM.
Students collaborate on projects and
earn accomplishment pins. Students
in the Community Ambassador Program
can also teach coding classes to
beginner students.
“I’ve interned at NASA and I’m not
sure that’s something I would have
had the opportunity to do without
some of the experiences I’ve had
with We Connect the Dots and other
high school programs,” said Caeley
Looney, a former WCTD ambassador
who founded a nonprofit for women
in STEM, Reinvented Magazine.
WCTD also hosts an annual Code-
A-Thon, where youth learn and
advance their coding and technical
skills. This year’s fully virtual Code-
A-Thon takes place from Jan. 30 to
Jan. 31.
WTCD offers scholarships, including
one for the after-school coding
program as well as the Code-A-Thon.
The CreatingSTEAM Summer Program
awards a student with $1,350
for the 10-day program’s expenses
and transportation.
Computer science teachers are also
trained by industry experts in
WCTD so that they can teach skills
to their own students, according to
Carey.
“It’s really about a community impact,
not just the students but the
teachers, the whole community,”
Carey said, calling the program a
really amazing model that brings
people together. “They say, ‘Hey, I
got through this, I created a career
here, let me go back and be a coach…
or a trainer for somebody else and
help other students.’”
Students participating in a We Connect The Dots STEAM activity.
WEBINARS PRESENTS
FREE WEBINAR
Tuesday, January 19 11:00AM
Finding the Right Senior Care for Your Loved Ones
Older adults and their families can be overwhelmed by the array of senior care options, especially during times of crisis. Julie Wexler, MPA, will
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Specific topics: Speakers:
Aaron Futterman
Law Partner
Futterman, Lanza & Pasculli LLP
Julie Wexler
Director of Business Development
The Bristal Assisted Living
• The changing age demographic in our region
• In-home care options
• Senior living options
• The right time to move and the support available
• How to pay and plan for long-term care costs
• Legal and financial considerations, including: Medicare, Medicaid,
• LTC Insurance, Trusts, Private pay, and Veterans’ benefits
• Special Section: Crisis Covid-19 Planning, how the pandemic changes the
conversation
www.SchnepsMedia.com/webinars
Sign up now. Space is limited.
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