In 2019, the Kuma Foundation launched several initiatives in effort to foster healthy technology habits from the creation of the 2019 Miss Virginia Social Media Guide to hosting a conversation with families of Ad Fontes Academy on online safety and monitoring. The Kuma Foundation has made efforts through in-kind donations, monetary contributions to schools in need, and passing the mic to experts of behaviors in the digital world.
In 2020, we aim to continue our efforts in fostering healthy technology habits in the communities important to you. For more information on programs available, visit us at www.kuma.pro/kumafoundation
Here is a quick highlight of our work in 2019:
Miss Virginia Social Media Guide
The Kuma Foundation releases its 1st Social Media Guide for the Miss Virginia Scholarship Organization advising on cyber hygiene tips including utilizing privacy settings, strong passwords, and knowing how content posted online is used by cyber criminals.
Tech4Schools Fundraiser
Our summer fundraiser where our CEO, Ray Kimble ran his 1st marathon in support of raising funds for Brightwood Education Center in Washington, D.C. Students from diverse backgrounds in Mr. Turner’s math class were in need of laptops to learn skills such as coding to give them a head start in college.
Career Day @ Center for Advanced Technical Studies in South Carolina
The Kuma Foundation visits the Center for Advanced Technical Studies in Chapin, SC. We spoke with high school juniors and seniors of Mr. Johnson’s Cybersecurity class. We discussed industry trends and answered student’s questions on what job recruiters look for in new graduates.
Cyberbullying Awareness Month Video Series
The Cyberbullying Awareness Month video series is a 3 part video testimonial on how cyberbullying affects the lives of everyday people. Ashley Berry, shared her first hand account on what being cyberbullied was like in her teenage years. Anna Berry, shared the challenges of facing cyberbullying as a parent. Nancy Willard, an expert on cyberbullying, challenged us to combat this issue by focusing on spreading positive messages on social media and empowering young people to be positive role models to their peers.
Donations
In 2019, the Kuma Foundation donated several in-kind goods to multiple organizations across the nation. Some donations included food to military families in need, books to local schools and gently used clothing to local shelters.
Below, Ivy Orecchio and Dilini De Silva, Kuma Foundation Team Members reflect on 2019 and share their highlights:
