Why “Rukie Cookie”?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a rookie is “a new recruit or an inexperienced person in a particular sphere.” At Rukie Cookie, we proudly embrace this idea—not as a limitation, but as a beginning.

The name Rukie Cookie reflects our commitment to being a safe, supportive space for beginners—where kids and teens can be unafraid to try, fail, learn, and grow. Whether it’s their first chess move, their first code line, or their first science project, every “rookie” is welcome here.

Who we are …

At Rukie Cookie, we believe every young mind deserves a place to grow, explore, and lead—with curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Our mission is simple but powerful: to create safe, inclusive, and inspiring spaces where youth explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), build curiosity, strategic thinking, and innovation—empowering them to become confident leaders and active contributors to a more just and equitable society.

Our Sweet Side

As the first step in out community-driven approach, we bake and sell delicious, homemade cookies to help fund our youth programming. It’s more than just a bake sale—it’s a symbol of the joy, effort, and community spirit that fuels everything we do.

Our First Initiative: Free Chess for Youth

Chess is more than a game—it’s a powerful tool for teaching strategy, patience, decision-making, and confidence. That’s why the focus of our initial fundraising efforts is providing free chess classes to youth, especially those from under-resourced and under-represented communities. Through chess, we introduce critical thinking and perseverance in a fun, engaging way.