Dallas, Texas – September 19, 2024 – Bold Idea, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering computer science skills and confidence in students, celebrated its eighth annual event last night with the exciting announcement of Pariveda Solutions as the first-ever recipient of the "Corporate Partner of the Year" award.

"For over seven years, Pariveda has been instrumental to the success of our after-school Coding Clubs program in Dallas ISD," said Robyn Brown, CEO & Founder of Bold Idea. "Given their consistent financial, volunteer, and consulting support, it was an easy decision for Bold Idea’s leadership team to select Pariveda as our inaugural Corporate Partner of the Year. All students deserve access to quality computer science education and mentoring. Together with Pariveda and our other corporate partners, we are making that vision a reality for hundreds of young students in the Dallas community.”

“I am so proud of our partnership with Bold Idea,” said Susan Paul, Chief People Officer at Pariveda. “Since we first began working alongside of this organization, I’ve had the joy and privilege of witnessing hundreds of kids learn new computer science and coding skills – skills that will benefit them for the rest of their careers. Their mission truly changes lives.”

Pariveda's commitment to Bold Idea is evident through its significant contributions:

• Longstanding partnership: A corporate partner since 2018, with 106 volunteers contributing their time since 2017, including 8 volunteers this school year alone.

• Financial support: An annual fundraising campaign that raised over $60,000 in recent years.

• Skill-based volunteering: In addition to mentoring, pro-bono volunteers designed the digital badges that students earn in the Coding Clubs program.

• Employee-driven support: Pariveda's support is grassroots and driven by its employees with leadership backing, showcasing their strong company culture for community support.

Sean Blonien, a Pariveda alum, has been a Bold Idea volunteer since Fall 2020. He shared his experience, "I think STEM education is still radically low compared to what our economy and society demands... The fully dedicated 1-1 guidance with the students really gives them a leg up as most of the time they don’t have that support in their class work."

Blonien also highlighted the joy of witnessing students' enthusiasm for coding, recalling a memorable experience mentoring a student named Diego who not only learned to code but even learned how to build a website for his father’s auto business, "It was so rewarding to see all of his creative energy come forth when ideating his website."

Educational Partners Fueling the Mission

The event also highlighted the invaluable contributions of educational partners like Lauren Ruffner from Credera, who has been a dedicated Coding Club mentor for three years.

"One of the biggest benefits I’ve witnessed is the genuine excitement and sense of accomplishment students experience when they see their projects come to life,” said Ruffner. She fondly remembers watching students create games in Scratch and the joy they felt sharing their creations with their peers. “It not only boosts their confidence but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration.”

Ruffner's dedication, even during challenging times like the shift to remote mentoring during Covid, underscores the commitment of Bold Idea’s volunteers and partners in providing quality computer science education.

Teacher's Perspective

Gerardo Ramirez, a 2nd-grade teacher at William Lipscomb Elementary and Bold Idea club liaison, shared his perspective on the program's impact. "I think that coding skills and logical thinking are a must-teach to new generations," Ramirez stated. He emphasized the sense of community and excitement the program fosters, noting that "for many of my kiddos, it is the highlight of their week and are always asking me to have more sessions."

Ramirez encouraged the greater community to recognize Bold Idea’s role in helping students explore their interests and develop critical thinking skills, which are valuable in all areas of their curriculum.

Bold Idea’s annual celebration underscored the power of partnerships in expanding access to quality computer science education and empowering the next generation of tech innovators.

About Bold Idea

Bold Idea is a Dallas-based nonprofit that creates equitable access to computer science education in under-resourced communities. Since 2015, Bold Idea has partnered with Dallas ISD and North Texas companies to bring quality computer science education to under-resourced schools. Bold Idea envisions a world where every student has an unobstructed path to a fulfilling career in technology. For more information on Bold Idea, visit: boldidea.org.