WE CAN CODE IT FINDS NEW HEADQUARTERS AT SHAKER LAUNCHHOUSE
The coworking space will be home to offices, classroom and event space
Cleveland, OH — June 8, 2015 — We Can Code IT, a Cleveland-based social good
organization empowering women and diverse populations in technology, has relocated to
Shaker LaunchHouse, a coworking space and entrepreneurial community based in Shaker
Heights. The 23,000 square foot space will act as company offices and classroom space for the
We Can Code IT offers various programs including all women and co-ed bootcamps as well as
youth and teen camps. Courses range from one-week long for youth to three and five month
sessions for adults. With their target market being underserved populations, the organization
aims to increase diversity in tech as well as help alleviate poverty through education and
employer partnerships.
The part-time coding bootcamp, which begins June 20, teaches high-demand tech skills and
programming languages. Because of the unique accelerated learning style and
ultra-collaborative environment the program boasts higher student engagement, faster learning, and
dramatically increased retention rates of information.
We Can Code IT launched its inaugural program this past spring with its first class graduating at
the end of May. Since the culmination of the program, students have interviewed with several
employers, including Hyland Software, OEConnection, and a variety of other companies in the
area.
Recent graduates have said that “I learned more than I had ever imagined,” and “attending the
We Can Code IT boot camp was the best decision of my life.”
Mel McGee, CEO of We Can Code IT, recognizes a need in the community to get underserved
populations the tech skills they need for new lucrative IT careers. “I believe nearly everyone can
learn how to code.” she says. “If you have the dedication, if you’re willing to work, we’re here to
teach you. Not only do you learn the most in-demand skills, we train you how to think like a
developer in a welcoming, collaborative environment.”
The move to Shaker LaunchHouse is a perfect fit for numerous reasons. Its open, collaborative
atmosphere is a perfect place for students to learn, share and work with entrepreneurs at
LaunchHouse. Since the program is project-based learning, students can look forward to
working with the entrepreneurs at LaunchHouse to solve real-world problems. Additionally, the
affordable entrepreneurial housing, located on the street behind LaunchHouse, allows for We
Can Code IT to attract students from outside the area.
“Having We Can Code IT as a member of LaunchHouse is a huge win for Shaker Heights and
the Northeast Ohio entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Todd Goldstein, managing partner and
CEO of LaunchHouse. “This allows us to expand our educational offerings to the community
that we wouldn’t otherwise have been able to. We’re looking forward to getting more involved
with them and being a resource to their students.”
Goldstein goes on to state how inspiring it is to see an organization like We Can Code IT help
people utilize coding to reinvent themselves and explore career possibilities that they otherwise
would not.
We Can Code IT also offers summer camps for kids beginning June 15. Students learn logic,
electrical engineering concepts and computer science principals with Minecraft Amusement
Park and Game Programming camps. More information on these and other programs can be
found at wecancodeit.org.
