i.c.stars, a Chicago workforce development non-profit that prepares young adults for technology careers, just got a donation from Walmart to expand its program to more cities.
Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation, better known as i.c.stars, received a $100,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation Wednesday to help expand its program to more diverse communities across the US and the world.
i.c.stars, which recently opened its first program outside of Chicago in Columbus, OH, plans to launch another location later this year in downtown Milwaukee. It's also eyeing expansion in nine additional cities, including Rwanda and Mexico.
“This grant is a game-changer for i.c.stars,” i.c.stars President and Co-Founder Sandee Kastrul said in a statement. “It is a vote of confidence at a time of expansion and scaling, allowing staff to focus energy on the program itself.”
Founded in 1998, i.c.stars trains young adults for technology jobs through a "project-based" model that has students doing things like building mobile apps, practicing business communication, and networking with business professionals. The program aims to encourage participants to create non-profits, social enterprises and volunteer in their communities.
i.c.stars says it as trained more than 330 people in Chicago, and places 95% of qualified graduates in jobs. Graduates of i.c.stars have gone on to work in technology roles at companies like Accenture, Presence Health, Uptake and US Foods.
“The Walmart Foundation supports the vision of i.c. stars to provide motivated individuals with the training and opportunities to excel in the high growth technology sector,” added Carol May, Program Manager of the Walmart Foundation. “We are pleased to enable the expansion of i.c. stars into new cities over the next year.”
Image via i.c.stars
