The Denver Post recently profiled one of the great nonprofits that we work with here in Edgewater. Open World Learning teaches children how to code on the computer. One of their students at Edgewater Elementary, eleven year old Marlene Alba, explained her dream “I want to be an astrophysicist when I grow up….”
How do we help Marlene reach her dream of becoming an astrophysicist?
We believe we can see this happen through collective impact.
We are new to the work called “collective impact.” In the winter of 2011, John Kania and Mark Kramer of the nonprofit consulting group FSG, outlined the dynamics of cross-sector coordination or as they termed it “collective impact.” You can read more of this landmark article here. Edgewater Collective is joining over 50 cradle to career networks using the collective impact model in partnership with Strive Together.
This pathway for cradle to career student success has already started to build. Here’s a look at how it has developed with a focus on kids learning to code:
- All kids who attend our Jefferson Area schools have a personal iPad to use during the school year
- Open World Learning teaches elementary school kids to code in after school and summer programs
- Emagineif helps middle and high school students develop their coding skills with their Generation Hacker program
- Jefferson High School will offer an AP Computer Science class this fall
- Red Rocks Community College, one of our post-secondary partners, currently offers a Cyber Security scholarship of up to $7,500 a year
- We are starting to develop relationships with local tech companies like Lockheed Martin and others so students can get a view for possible careers where they would use their computer skills
These connections with great organizations came because I built relationships with the leaders of each organization and helped them see their role in the pathway. I worked to connect all the pieces together so local kids could develop their coding skills through elementary, middle and high school just like a child would progress in a sport. I wake up every morning thinking of how all sectors in our community can work together to see children succeed.
I am excited for the potential of well-trained, creative computer coders from the greater Edgewater area creating the next iPhone app or launching their own tech company!
As we continue this work, our biggest hurdle for collective impact success is funding. This is not unique to our work. Others across the country who are engaged in collective impact work have a hard time funding the behind the scenes organization that coordinates and connects cross-sector work.
It is hard to convince people to invest in a backbone organization that coordinates behind the scenes work. Yet the limited investment in Edgewater Collective can drive greater results as coordinating programs can make them more targeted and efficient. And shared data among organizations and nonprofits can make the efforts more disciplined and successful.
I believe that by funding the small budget of Edgewater Collective each year we will be able to fully develop this cradle to career pathway.
This way eleven year old Marlene will one day realize her dream of being an astrophysicist and move into her new job at Lockheed Martin.
Donate now so that more local children like Marlene can enter their dream careers.
