https://soundcloud.com/listenfrontier/code-for-america-founder-explains-why-tulsas-volunteer-innovators-are-among-the-best-in-the-country
Code for America proudly proclaims its mission as working “to make government work in the digital age.”
That’s easier said then done, of course. But our guests today on the Listen Frontier podcast, Jennifer Pahlka and Carlos Moreno, are doing everything they can to make that happen.
Pahlka founded Code for America in 2010. She has also held a number of positions in the private and public sector, including a stint as deputy chief technology officer for government innovation in the Obama administration.
Pahlka was in Tulsa on Friday to visit with officials from Code for Tulsa, the local “brigade” of volunteers working to help solve government problems and make residents’ lives better. She and Moreno also visited with Mayor G.T. Bynum and three city councilors.
Moreno is co-captain of the Code for Tulsa brigade.
Jennifer Pahlka, third from the left, speaks during a meeting Friday with city councilors and Code for Tulsa members. Pahlka is founder of Code for America. Also pictured, left to right, are Code for Tulsa member Luke Crouch, City Councilor Jeannie Cue, and Carlos Moreno, co-captain of the Code for Tulsa volunteer team. KEVIN CANFIELD/The Frontier
So what exactly do Code for America and Code for Tulsa do? They use their volunteers’ expertise in technology, computers and other fields to help local governments solve problems.
For example, in Tulsa, Code for Tulsa is working with Tulsa County to create a program that would send texts reminding people of their court dates. Code for Tulsa is also working on projects for the city of Tulsa, including one that would provide a visual representation of how city funds are spent.
If you would like more information on Code for Tulsa, or would like to volunteer your services, go to www.codefortulsa.org.
