Kennesaw Company Sponsors Youth STEM Initiative: The Vine City Code Crew

Staff Report

Applied Global Technologies (AGT), a proven provider of managed and visual collaboration solutions, today announces a partnership with The Vine City Code Crew, a new course-based initiative based out of the neighborhood of Vine City, Atlanta, which teaches the basics of computer coding to inner city youth. The Vine City Code Crew was launched by former AGT employee, Jeremy Harms. Jeremy began his career in the technology field at AGT and now strives to encourage and inspire inner city youth to pursue continuing education in STEM – science, technology, engineering and math. AGT will act as a corporate sponsor of the initiative, providing monetary donations to help fund expenses associated with each course.

The Vine City Code Crew officially launched in September 2014 after beginning its inaugural six-week course to 10 teenagers. During the course, The Vine City Code Crew meets once a week to learn basic computer programming skills, such as how to write simple codes and programs to control everyday objects. Jeremy and other mentors involved give the youth in the program a picture of what it would look like to have a rewarding career in a technology field. The kids that complete the course – dubbed “Coders” – earn their own small computer, coding lab manual, monitor, keyboard and mouse to continue learning on their own after the course concludes.

“As a company, it is important for us to give back to the community whenever we can,” says Mark Cray, CEO of AGT. “When Jeremy – someone who made a lasting impact on AGT during his time here – launched The Vine City Code Crew and shared his story, we knew we wanted to help support the initiative. We are proud to help fund The Vine City Code Crew in an effort to empower youth to experience the various realms and applications of technology. Jeremy’s passion and work for this program is incredible and we look forward to watching The Vine City Code Crew grow.”

“Having AGT be a part of supporting The Vine City Code Crew is particularly special to me personally,” says Jeremy Harms, founder of The Vine City Code Crew. “AGT provided me with my start in my technology career, and I am so grateful for the leadership there and all my friends at the company over the years. AGT’s donation was a huge help in getting us to our goal of fully funding our first course.”

Jeremy writes a detailed blog about his Vine City Code Crew experience, which can be accessed here. To learn more about The Vine City Code Crew and how to donate to this initiative, click here. For information about AGT, please visit the company’s website.