Agents of Nonprofit

How Three Students Created a Lifeline for Ukrainian Refugees with Emma Cotner

Alexander Lapa Season 1 Episode 142

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, we welcome Emma Cotner, co-founder of Learn and Earn, an inspiring initiative providing essential online education resources to Ukrainian refugee students affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Emma discusses the program’s unique approach to supporting students aged 9-16 with critical resources like Chromebooks and internet access, the challenges of scaling, and plans for sustainable growth.

Topics We Cover:

  • The origin story of the Learn and Earn program and its mission to support Ukrainian refugees
  • How Emma and her classmates identified a gap in educational resources for displaced students
  • The role of social media and Ukrainian influencers in scaling the program's outreach
  • Key challenges in providing Chromebooks and internet access to refugee students in need
  • The significance of launch events in building community and teaching tech skills
  • Funding efforts, including an annual gala and individual donor contributions
  • Scaling issues and the impact of a growing waitlist on program sustainability
  • Plans for future expansion, including corporate partnerships and streamlined logistics

To Learn More and Connect with Emma:
Learn and Earn Website
Contact Learn and Earn

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