Raspberry Pi Foundation North America Inc

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Our mission is to put the power of computing and digital making into the hands of people all over the world. We do this so that more people can harness the power of computing and digital technologies to learn, to solve problems that matter to them, and to express themselves creatively.

This community story comes from a US-based educator with over twenty years of experience, Yolanda Payne shares our mission to put computing and digital making into the hands of people all over the world. Yolanda is based in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA, she’s passionate about making technology accessible to all and helping young people become technology creators.

Yolanda says, “The biggest reason I’m so invested in technology is because people invested in me. They saw something that I was good at, showed me opportunities, and so in turn, that was my philosophy in teaching.”

Yolanda got her first computer at a young age and was hooked instantly: it opened up many new opportunities and led her to choosing a career in education. She says, “The computer gives me the tools to be an artist, it gives me the tools to create things, and if it does that for me, then just imagine what it will do for kids!”

Yolanda has spent her entire professional life dedicated to education. She gained a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi University for Women; a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Mississippi State University; and Educational Specialist degrees from the University of Florida and the University of Georgia in Curriculum and Instruction, and in Language and Literacy.

Throughout her twenty-one years as a classroom teacher and her time running Code Clubs, Yolanda found joy in supporting students who have multiple challenges or complex needs, and in seeing them thrive in the subject of computer science. Yolanda points out, “I worked with both students that were considered to be in special education and students that were gifted. And one of the biggest things that I saw that I don’t think people realise, especially about students in special education: they are used to solving problems. […] You’d be very surprised at how real-life problem-solving skills flow very easily into computer science.”

Yolanda now works as a Research Associate at the Georgia Institute of Technology. We are tremendously thankful for her contributions as an educator and an advocate for technology and young people.

1 million+
People in the US learn using our 200+ free online coding projects each year
1,000+
Coding clubs in the US across 49 states have joined our movement, serving an average of 19 young people
85%
Volunteers report that the young people in their coding clubs have improved their skills, interest, and confidence in computing and programming
$15
Will support one young person to attend a free coding club for a whole year
$65
Will support 200 young people to complete an online coding project
$135
Will support the setup of a new coding club for young people

Financials

$783k
2022 Budget
66%Program Spend
11%Management Spend
23%Fundraising Spend
66%
11%
23%

Volunteering + Events

Coolest Projects

Young digital makers will be able to celebrate their tech creations with Coolest Projects in 2024. Any young creator, anywhere in the world, can join the annual online showcase to share their digital tech projects with the global Coolest Projects community. This year we’ll also be hosting two in-person Coolest Projects events for young creators in the UK, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. We can’t wait to see what everyone creates!

Learn More >

Volunteer with the Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation's mission is powered by a global network of thousands of volunteers. Get involved with a coding club, translate education resources, and more.

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