Important note: the following recommendation was approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 11, 2017:

PROJECT SUMMARY DISTRICT 4 (Supervisor Warren Slocum)

FY 2016-17 Measure K Request One-Time Grant of $75,000 to StreetCode Academy for Rent for three course sessions for technology classes

This is a $75,000 one-time request for grant monies that will provide three course sessions worth of rent to StreetCode Academy for technological programming classes at East Palo Alto Academy. The courses will take place in Spring, Summer and Fall of 2017.

All courses will be completed by December 31, 2017. The County Manager’s Office will work with StreetCode Academy staff on terms of the grant agreement for this one-time contribution. StreetCode Academy: StreetCode Academy is a community-based organization that offers free technology classes to the broader East Palo Alto community. StreetCode has reached over 2,000 community members—from children under ten years old to adults over 70, and currently serves over 100 students in weekly programs. StreetCode Academy creates a pipeline to increase the diversity of participants within the technology ecosystem.

Despite the demand from the industry and community, StreetCode Academy is currently unable to provide consistent programming due to a lack of a permanent program location. Currently, StreetCode Academy hosts its quarterly programming at East Palo Alto Academy, a community-based high school in East Palo Alto. Securing the necessary funds for three course sessions of rent will allow StreetCode to solidify this partnership for continued use of their space, enabling the following:

  • Twenty-eight classes through Hack, Hustle, and Design framework
  • Three hundred forty-five local students from East Palo Alto and the surrounding region to attend classes in person
  • Ability to reach over 1,000 virtual learners through live and recorded content sessions taught by industry leaders in their respective fields

StreetCode Academy is seeking ongoing support from other corporate and governmental entities to fund space for classes in the future.

Total Measure K Request: $75,000 one-time

The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of a Grant Agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein.

Important note: this is a copy of the official report -- item 9 on the Board's agenda.