Liberty VI Expands Investment in Territory, Launches Digital Literacy Program for Girls

The Liberty Foundation, in collaboration with Y-Teens VI and the Society of Women Coders, is bringing the NextGen Tech Scholars Program to the U.S. Virgin Islands. This initiative aims to enhance digital literacy among female students, providing them with essential technology skills.

Y-Teens VI, a St. Thomas-based organization dedicated to the empowerment of girls and young women, has recruited students for this program. “Y-Teens VI is excited to partner with Liberty Foundation and Society of Women Coders in this worthwhile initiative,” said Donnalie Edwards-Cabey, the organization’s president and executive director. “It highlights one of our core programming areas: exposing girls and young women to technology skills, computer science, and engineering as viable career pathways in this digital age.”

The program is a 20-week online afterschool residency focused on coding and programming for female public middle and high school students aged 13 to 17. Participants will attend workshops covering task automation, data analysis, data visualization, digital literacy, website creation, and programming in Python, a language widely used in software development.

In addition to technical skills, the program includes mentoring sessions and provides access to an online community of coders. Classes will be held every Thursday, with mentoring sessions on Saturdays.

“This edition is very significant for us because this is the first time we are offering the NextGen program in the USVI,” stated Kavya Krishna, director and CEO of Society of Women Coders. “The girls taking this program are learning about digital literacy and the basics of coding, both important for developing skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. It will also be a door-opening opportunity for them to follow a career in STEM and even a first step on their education paths, like getting university scholarships.”

Liberty Foundation has committed to supporting Y-Teens VI and other nonprofit organizations in the USVI throughout 2024.