NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Today nonprofits Mouse and Code/Interactive, long-time friends and peers, announce their plans to merge, with unanimous support from both boards. By bringing together learning content and educator training, Mouse and Code/Interactive will open opportunities for all youth to engage with creative technology and computer science to make meaningful change in our world.

While each organization is independently strong, together they will meet the full range of creative computing needs, expanding their reach and realizing the potential of many more young people — especially those in underserved communities across the country.

Amy Kadomatsu, Mouse Board of Directors Chair, and Kirk McDonald, Code/Interactive Board of Directors Chair, will serve as Co-Chairs of the Board for the merged organization.

“While the national attention on STEM programs is increasing, the opportunity gap remains enormous. This is further exaggerated in underserved communities, which also adds a diversity challenge, said Kirk McDonald, Co-Chair, Board of Directors. “Despite the best efforts of many nonprofit organizations and attention from the US Government and private-sector funding, we remain woefully behind in terms of scalable and repeatable programs.”

“Mouse and Code/Interactive have a shared vision to close the opportunity gap,” said Amy Kadomatsu, Co-Chair, Board of Directors. “We bring together the best in creative technologies with computer science, giving young people opportunities to develop critical skills and be prepared for jobs that may not even exist today.”

Mouse provides original learning content with a focus on design thinking, STEM, and technology with purpose. Celebrating its 20^th year, more than 47,000 youth have been actively involved in Mouse, developing the skills to design and apply technology creatively to the world around them.

Code/Interactive trains educators and builds inclusive computer science programs. They partner with nationally recognized professional development and curriculum providers to introduce students to computer science in grades K-12.

“We see the fragmented efforts of so many nonprofit groups as an opportunity to accelerate towards, and scale a solution,” said McDonald. “Because we’re independently strong, we are even more confident that joining forces and focusing our efforts will mean that we can reach even more youth and scale our professional development work with teachers.”

“I thank Mouse and Code/Interactive for their commitment to expanding access to high-quality computer science and STEM education in New York City,” said Debbie Marcus, Executive Director of Computer Science Education at the NYC Department of Education. “This merger is an exciting opportunity for them to share resources and build capacity towards that goal. I look forward to our continued partnership in serving students across NYC.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York. The two organizations intend to continue to collaborate, but operate separately pending regulatory approval. After the merger, the combined organization will operate under the Mouse banner, with Code/Interactive as a sub-brand.

With shared expertise in youth and professional development, as well as curricula spanning creative to computational thinking, the combined organization will have the people, platforms and purpose necessary to embolden more youth and educators to access and amplify technology as a force for good.

Media Contacts:

Chanel Sedeno
Clarity PR
182914@email4pr.com, 916.677.7350

Susan Schwartz
Senior Director, Communications, Mouse
182914@email4pr.com, 646.574.1014

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SOURCE Mouse and Code/Interactive