In December of 2023, we organized our first hackathon. This Code for Cause hackathon featured over 100 hackers from across the Bay Area, working to create projects that would benefit 5 specific local nonprofits. The event was a huge success and we immediately began work on planning another Code for Cause hackathon. The problem was that organizing large-scale hackathons takes lots of resources. We had an idea. Instead of hosting our own huge hackathon, we could partner with smaller hackathons that were already happening. This way, we could still help nonprofits and hackers, but we wouldn't have to do all the work of organizing a hackathon. We could just help out the smaller hackathons. We would provide the nonprofits and the hackers, and the hackathon would provide the venue, the resources, and the food. It was a win-win for everyone involved.
So, we began looking for other local hackathons that we could partner with. Luckily, at the same time, we were contacted by the organizers of VikingHacks, Irvington High School Hack Club, with a proposal to run a hackathon together alongside Associated Students of Ohlone College. And so Ohlone Hacks was born.
But, we at Code for Cause were looking to do something that had never been done before. We aimed to introduce a dedicated track within an existing hackathon that focused solely on creating solutions for a specific nonprofit. This led to the creation of the Code for Cause Track at Ohlone Hacks, with our inaugural nonprofit partner being the International Youth Tobacco Control (IYTC). The task was to develop a Cross-Platform Mobile Health Tracker for Smokers, a project designed to monitor, diagnose, and aid in quitting smoking.
Ohlone Hacks was an incredible success, attracting over 80 hackers from the Bay Area. The enthusiasm and creativity of the participants were evident as they wrote over 20,000 lines of code and presented 30 unique projects. Among these, the Code for Cause Track stood out, with participants passionately working on the IYTC Health Tracker. The project not only challenged them technically but also inspired them with its potential for real-world impact. The highlight was the first-place winner, Alexander Bonev.
Following the hackathon, Alexander, IYTC, and Code for Cause worked together to continue building features and polishing the app. Through a series of meetings and collaborative efforts, the app was refined and enhanced. Today, it is actively being used by IYTC to help youth everywhere monitor their journey in quitting smoking, marking a significant achievement for all involved.
The judging panel for the Code for Cause Track consisted of two representatives from IYTC, alongside Monalisa Patel, a Director at PayPal, and Arjun Shukla, a Senior iOS Engineer at BILL. They had a great time judging all the projects, thoroughly impressed by the innovative solutions and dedication shown by the participants. Their expertise and feedback were invaluable in selecting the winning project and encouraging all the participants to continue their work in tech for social good.
Looking back, our decision to partner with existing hackathons has proven to be a strategic success. It allows us to maintain our mission of driving social good through technology without the logistical burden of organizing large-scale events. As we move forward, we are excited to continue this model, partnering with more hackathons and nonprofits, and empowering more hackers to make a difference. Together, we can achieve even greater things and continue to drive meaningful change in our communities.