Rewriting the Code: From Struggle to Building a Better Future For My Family
Frejya, Web Developer at St. Joseph Center, shares how CodeTalk helped her move from financial hardship and uncertainty into a career in web development. Her story reflects the impact of workforce training, mentorship, and programs that create real pathways for women in technology.
Before I became a web developer, I was a single mother trying to build stability for my family while navigating financial hardship, childcare barriers, and the uncertainty that comes with trying to start over. Like many parents, I balanced caregiving responsibilities with unstable work and limited opportunities for advancement. I knew I needed a path toward something more sustainable, but I wasn’t sure where to find it.
Discovering CodeTalk
As I searched for a way to provide more stability for my family, a friend introduced me to CodeTalk, St. Joseph Center’s web technology training program for low-income, underemployed, and underserved women.
At first, I had to decline because I did not have childcare. It was a painful setback, but St. Joseph Center encouraged me to exhaust every possible resource and reapply. I did, and in March 2020, I earned my certificate from CodeTalk.
A Career I Never Thought Possible
CodeTalk gave me more than technical skills. It gave me confidence, mentorship, community, and a path into a field I had not imagined was available to me.
In December 2021, everything changed when St. Joseph Center offered me a full-time position as their web developer. I cried, not just from joy, but from relief. Relief that I could finally sign a lease, provide for my children without fear, and stand on my own two feet.
“In December 2021, everything changed when St. Joseph Center offered me a full-time position as their web developer. I cried, not just from joy, but from relief.”
More Than a Coding Bootcamp
CodeTalk is a hands-on web technology training program that helps women build in-demand technical skills, career tools, and confidence. Over 16 weeks, students learn from instructors and industry professionals while gaining practical experience that can open doors to new career pathways.
For me, CodeTalk was a turning point. It connected me with mentors who cared, introduced me to a community of women who understood my struggles, and helped me believe that I could build a sustainable future for myself and my children.
Why Programs Like CodeTalk Matter
Programs like CodeTalk help remove barriers for women who are often balancing caregiving responsibilities, financial pressure, underemployment, and limited access to professional networks. They create opportunities for women to learn, grow, and enter careers that provide long-term stability.
For St. Joseph Center, CodeTalk represents the power of investing in people. When women are given access to training, mentorship, and opportunity, the impact extends far beyond one individual. It strengthens families, workplaces, and entire communities.
The Impact of Opportunity
Before CodeTalk, I was juggling unstable work and trying to find a way forward. Today, I am growing my career in web development, continuing my education, and showing my children that resilience and support can change the course of a life.
CodeTalk helped me move from survival into possibility. It gave me the foundation to build a career, support my family, and contribute to the same organization that helped open the door for me.
Learn more about CodeTalk and how St. Joseph Center creates pathways to opportunity for women in technology.
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