CODE PLATOON RECEIVES IDVA VET CASH GRANT

Code Platoon has received $100,000 from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Vet Cash Program to support the program’s mission of training Veterans and military spouses for careers in software engineering and development. Since 2017, IDVA has contributed a total of $250,000 to help Code Platoon offer an immersive, hands-on, 15-week Coding Bootcamp program and provide graduates the opportunity to secure paid apprenticeships following the completion of our program.

“The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to assist Code Platoon in its mission,”  said Linda Chapa LaVia, Director, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “By providing opportunities for training and mentorship, Code Platoon offers Veterans the chance to enter into an in-demand and well-paid career in software engineering. The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs salutes the work Code Platoon does to lift up Illinois veterans.” 

Proceeds from the Vet Cash program support Illinois Veterans by funding services that focus on military-affiliated community challenges, including healthcare costs, post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, research, job training and placement, and homelessness. IDVA provides funds to nonprofits, government agencies, and Veteran organizations to help smaller groups make a much more significant impact on the Illinois Veteran community.  

“The support from IDVA’s Vets Cash program cannot be understated,” said Rod Levy, Founder, and Executive Director, Code Platoon.

“Investing in our Veterans and military spouses has a proven return rate. Over the last two years, 80% of our students have found jobs in software development within six months of graduation. The median starting salary of those graduates was $72,000. After 24 months, the median salary of our graduates is $96,000,” Levy said. 

“Thanks to IDVA’s Vet Cash program, we can continue to empower our Veterans and military spouses across the state to achieve higher economic and career outlooks together,” Levy said.

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) mission is to empower Veterans and their families to thrive by assisting them in navigating the system of federal, state, and local resources and benefits. IDVA also provides long-term health care for eligible Veterans within Veterans’ Homes; and partner with other agencies and non-profits to help Veterans address education, mental health, housing, employment, and other challenges.

Code Platoon is a 501(c)3 non-profit that helps Veterans and military spouses transition into the civilian workforce by providing technical training and career placement. Code Platoon teaches Veterans, military spouses, and active marketable skills that leverage core competencies, transforming them into software engineers through an immersive, hands-on, educational process and paid apprenticeship program.