AV Gives has launched its 2023 fundraising campaign and networking initiatives in support of Rosie Riveters, a non-profit organization that empowers young girls by building personal confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through hands-on, community-based STEM programs.

Under the direction of co-founders Erica Carroll and Jennifer Goodyer, CTS, AV Gives’ 2023 goals share a common purpose of engaging and inspiring girls through STEM projects while showcasing the professional AV industry as a rewarding career path. Carroll and Goodyer last year banded with the AVIXA Women’s Council and Brittany Greer, executive director and founder of Rosie Riveters, to raise money and support STEM programs for Rosie Riveters through the AV industry.

Carroll said that volunteers built 1,500 binary coding kits with last year’s funds, which totaled nearly $35k. The kits include all parts and materials required to teach computer language to third-grade children, which were primarily girls though all children are invited to participate. Carroll and Goodyer connected with Women’s Council Local Leaders in Atlanta, Dallas, Southern California ,and Mid-Atlantic areas to schedule “packing parties” where adult volunteers create the coding kits for distribution to local schools.

“The STEM program, and our involvement through these binary coding kits, lays the groundwork for a career path to the AV industry,” added Goodyer. “We include a brochure in these kits that showcases women and the careers they have in the AV industry. We want to communicate that women have a place in the AV industry, and continue to close the gender gap as the next generation of professionals enter AV.”

This year’s networking initiatives will extend that blueprint to new cities while driving re-engagement with last year’s participants.

AV Gives continues to work with the AVIXA Women’s Council; Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), whose founding board members include Goodyer, will also support AV Gives and its 2023 initiatives. For more information, click here.