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(Rock Island, Ill.) – Cincinnati’s Camp BYOC (Build Your Own Computer) has been recognized and awarded for its dedication to inspiring girls to explore computer technology careers. Former P&G IT executive, Robin Walker, founder of Camp BYOC, has been named a Nation of Neighbors℠ national grant recipient by Royal Neighbors of America, one of the first and largest women-led insurers in the US. “I am thrilled to accept this grant on behalf of the girls who, with more scholarships, will be able to attend our camps. Our mission is to encourage young people, especially minorities and underrepresented students, to get excited about technology and consider a potential career in computers,” says Ms. Walker. Since 2014, her organization has inspired more than 200 young people, offering hands-on computer experience that has resulted in a number of students expressing excitement to further their education in specialized computer fields.

“We need to encourage students, especially young women, to stick with math and the opportunities in STEM,” says Ms. Walker. “I was a math major in college and fell in love with computers. We need women represented in development and engineering teams, so they can make contributions and build solutions that reflect women’s needs, whether it’s for product safety, medicine, or other scientific advancements.”

Juliet Christenson, Product Development Manager at Royal Neighbors, will lead the virtual award presentation. “We are honored to be able to support Cincinnati’s Camp BYOC. Ms. Walker’s dedication to inspiring young people to reach their full potential and break down barriers to careers in technology is impressive. For more than 125 years, Royal Neighbors has sought to empower women to make a positive impact in their communities. Being able to provide financial support for Ms. Walker’s effort to provide scholarships for underrepresented students to develop skills in STEM at really aligns with that mission,” said Ms. Christenson.

Nation of Neighbors is a Royal Neighbors of America philanthropy program that provides financial assistance to individuals who have a plan to start or expand a business, organization, program, or nonprofit that helps women and/or girls in their community. To date, more than $2 million has been awarded nationwide.



About Royal Neighbors of America
Royal Neighbors of America is a unique provider of life insurance and annuities whose mission is to protect women financially and empower them to improve their lives, families, and communities. In 1895, Royal Neighbors was founded as a membership organization by nine pioneering women who recognized the need to insure the lives of women and children and the importance of localized philanthropy. Headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois, with an operation in Mesa, Arizona, Royal Neighbors serves more than 215,000 members.