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@the-difference-engine

The Difference Engine

the-difference-engine
222 W Merchandise Mart Plz, Suite 1212, Chicago, IL 60654

TDE’s apprenticeship program empowers adults from underrepresented groups and non-traditional backgrounds with real-world technology experiences that develop their skills in professionalism, Agile workflows, and collaboration ...unlike school or Bootcamp programs, upon TDE program completion, our apprentices are ready to enter the workforce with applicable professional experience.

Founded in 2017 by Kimberly Lowe-Williams a Black female software engineer who struggled to be taken seriously in the tech world this organization has helped more than 200 apprentices discover their potential and leverage technology to transform their lives.

You can Engineer a Difference

  • [ ] Invest in today’s role models: You can help us make an impact today. Imagine investing in the development of role models for today’s youth to show them a more diverse tech industry. TDE creates role models today by supporting individuals from non-traditional backgrounds transition into the tech industry.

  • [ ] Minimize risk in entry-level technology hires: You can help us provide opportunities to individuals with nontraditional backgrounds to gain real-world experience, which minimizes the risk and burden of hiring entry-level individuals who don’t have the typical background.

Through generous recurring sponsorships we are able to provide apprentices with:

  • Stipends while they transition into a technical role. This is a real challenge for many adults transitioning or starting a new career with families and expenses. They currently work without pay for 20 weeks or more in our program while job hunting. Many people from underrepresented backgrounds do not have the luxury of waiting and often drop out before gaining their first entry-level dev job. 😔
  • Capital investment in the organization. Our organization has run for 4 years through the efforts of 100% volunteer staff. We need to hire staff if we are to keep going. Beginning with administrative staff, marketing, and a grant writer. An investment in TDE as an organization shows a serious commitment to ensuring a more diverse future for the tech industry.
  • Remote software support. Following the major global pandemic, we are going remote. This will provide much more opportunities for apprentices and volunteers. This does come at a price, to ensure a positive remote experience we need funds to secure the needed software, licenses, and equipment for everyone.
  • Swag 👕 - that's right we're developers we need SWAG to survive! TDE is a coders first experience coding professionally we do our best to provide a real-life experience which of course means...HOODIES, TSHIRTS, DECALS!

None of these things can be done without the support of the Developer Community!

2 sponsors have funded the-difference-engine’s work.

@cbrennan830
@derazmus

Meet the team

Featured work

  1. the-difference-engine/back-yards-coffee-app

    Web app for a specialty coffee roasting company located in Chicago's Back of the Yards community.

    Ruby 8
  2. JavaScript 9
  3. JavaScript 5
  4. Ruby 2
  5. JavaScript 1
  6. Ruby 1

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$10 a month

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🆕 New Sponsor
Hello there and welcome to being a sponsor for the very first time perhaps. Maybe you have limited means but still wish to show your support of TDE, its mission, its people, and its purpose. We are pleased you choose to give and be a sponsor. Thank you and welcome aboard. Way to pay it forward!

$25 a month

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🙏🏾 Contributing Sponsor
If you're a student or a professional just starting out, or maybe you're a tech fan who wants to support TDE and what we are doing to empower others to gain the opportunity you've been afforded. This is a great sponsorship level, to begin with. We'd love to have you.

$50 a month

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📣 Supporting Sponsor

If you're a technology professional or firm supporter of diversity in tech with a few years of experience, a dedicated fan, or an educator with limited means or varied interests, this sponsorship level may be right for you. We want you on our team!

$100 a month

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🎉 Sustaining Sponsor
You've been interested in engineering a difference for a while are committed to your role within the industry and you'd like to invest in the future of the technology industry in a more substantial way. This is the level for you. Let's do this!

$250 a month

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🎖️ Leader Sponsor
You've earned your place as a leader in your profession and are serious about your commitment to ensuring the technology industry becomes more diverse offering people from underrepresented groups and nontraditional backgrounds with a fair playing field. Reflect your seriousness in your level of support, and help lead TDE forward.

$1,000 a month

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🏦 Trustee Sponsor
You are a titan of the industry, an executive, a true philanthropic giver, and a firm believer in the power of investing to fight systemic issues that plague career opportunities for many. Show your commitment to TDE and everything that we stand for in the most profound way.