We close the gap between reentry and opportunity.
Technology is how people access opportunity: jobs, education, healthcare, housing. For returning citizens, that gap is even wider. Firme Coding gives returning citizens the tech skills to stand at the same starting line as everyone else, and the support to actually move forward.
Maria built the thing she needed.
Maria came home, earned a BS in Computer Science and an MBA, and is now a Software Engineer at Disney. We are Project Rebound alumni with real connections to higher education. We walked that path, and we don't want anyone to walk it without support.
She is openly, publicly formerly incarcerated, because representation matters, and because someone has to be first so the next person knows it's possible.
The outcome we build toward is opportunity, whatever form that takes.
We're doing the work. Not planning to. Doing it.
Directness + Respect
We bring the same directness and respect to each other that we bring to our participants.
Mission-Deep
Understand the mission deeply enough to make aligned decisions, even when no one is watching.
Peers, Not Projects
We see participants as peers and capable adults, not recipients of help.
Transparent
We represent Firme in public with the transparency our founder models: honest, grounded, proud.
High Bar
Our participants are doing hard things. We match their effort.
Confident Voice
No 'we hope to' or 'we're trying to.' We know our work makes a difference. We say it that way.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren't policies we follow. They're the reason we exist. Access to technology should not depend on whether someone has been incarcerated.
Honest about where we've been. Clear-eyed about where we're going.
Founder & Executive Director
Founder of Firme Coding and software engineer at The Walt Disney Company. Leads the organization’s vision, builds the Firme Coding site and Platform, and shapes the curriculum.
Program, Partnerships & Curriculum Lead
A former fellow, now runs program delivery, partnerships, and curriculum at Firme Coding. Brings lived experience and technical training to the work, and drives community reach.
Instructor & Software Engineer
Instructor and software engineer at Firme Coding. Builds the Firme Platform and mentors fellows through hands-on coding work.
The people we build with.
Debugging our past. Deploying our future.
Not marketing copy. The frame for every decision we make.
Ready to fund the work?
Every dollar goes to training, equipment, and support for our fellows.
Fund the Work