About YCDI
Youth Can Do I.T.
01 / The founder’s story
Lianne McNaughton
Founded in 2016 by Lianne McNaughton, Youth Can Do I.T. (YCDI) is a youth-focused organisation dedicated to bridging the gap between young people and opportunity in the digital economy. YCDI equips youth with the skills, mindset, and networks they need to thrive as creators, innovators, and change agents in their communities and beyond.
The mission of YCDI is simple yet powerful: to equip all children and youth with the digital skills and mindset to thrive in the digital world. YCDI seeks to become the tech talent pipeline of the Caribbean, preparing young people to meet the growing demand for digital professionals. YCDI also envisions a generation of creators empowered to lead change in their own lives, their communities, and the world at large.
Empowerment · Empathy · Excellence · Innovation · Integrity
03 / Our journey
From a first workshop to new possibilities.
2016
First introduction to web development workshop at Microsoft
Workshops with Next Gen Creators and Dream Jamaica
Web development bootcamp at eGov Jamaica
2017
ZipFM School Tour
DAB Summer ’17
Summer Camp
2018
Women in IT Mentorship Programme
30 students; the top three attended the Wonder Women in Tech Conference.
YCDI team wins UN Hackathon in Switzerland
2019
Hour of Code in primary schools
With NCB Foundation.
YCDI goes to Collision in Canada
Michael Thompson, Deputy Mayor of Toronto, sponsored two Ambassadors.
iRose in Tech Programme in Rose Town
16 girls; with Sandals Foundation and Coca-Cola.
YCDI Ambassador cohort 1
25 students.
Career Day Expo
2020
Digital Learning Day
Ambassador cohort 2
30 students.
iamWITy Conference
A virtual, two-day Girls in ICT Day conference reaching 800+.
Explorers Club
Summer Camp
Creators Club
Summer Camp
Virtual Collision Conference
CSOD
One on One Educational Services Ltd. learning partnership
2021
Digital Learning Day
iamWITy
Ambassador cohort 3 / Change Agents
FriYay Summer Camp
2022
iamWITy
Ambassador cohort 4 / Change Agents