video training
Program Outreach and Development
Organization:
Somerville Community Access Television VISTA Name:
Elizabeth Cavano
Program Start:
10/2000
Program End:
10/2001
Project Description:
SCAT currently has two computer stations that will soon be linked to the Internet, and will be dedicated solely to community members, and we hope to have a high speed cable modem connection soon. The VISTA volunteer’s work would revolve around helping move SCAT into the “digital age” without leaving behind anyone in the Somerville communities SCAT has been serving for over 25 years: at risk youth, immigrant communities, low- and middle-income people, and organizations who feel ignored by the “mainstream” media, and seniors looking for a way to make their voices and concerns heard. The concrete activities would include but not be limited to the following:
Planning and policy work: Research how other public access stations have “crossed the digital divide” and implemented computer center programs, as well as programs related to the new digital video technologies. Make recommendations to SCAT staff and Board of Directors, and help implement the plan, which would include the purchase of some equipment.
Outreach: Collaboration on the development of messages and programming for the public access channel aimed at making people aware of the new resources and programs at SCAT; development of printed outreach material personal outreach work, such as visiting service agencies, youth groups, community associations, etc., with a translator where necessary.
Training programs: Design and implementation of a creative program of training on the computer stations, especially related to the internet and to the multimedia possibilities offered by the WWW; collaboration with SCAT staff who work with the non-linear editing system in the design and implementation of new multimedia training courses design and implementation of an advanced training program related to web site design, video streaming, etc.
Impact: It is hoped that this new facet of SCAT’s work will have many different impacts for low-income youth and adults, from both the English-speaking, and the non-English -speaking communities, including but not limited to: concrete, career-related training, increased accessing of the resources available through the internet; a dynamic new addition to SCAT television programming; the development of a dynamic multimedia program, where teh assets and opportunities of public access television and the internet are combined and made accessible to all.
Outreach and Multimedia VISTA
Organization:
United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) VISTA Name:
Cara Powers
Program Start:
6/2005
Program End:
2/2006
Project Description:
Cara will meet bi-weekly with the Community Software Lab (CSL) to increase UTEC’s overall IT capacity and info structure, conduct outreach to the youth of Lowell to attract students and educate the community, and organize monthly workshops for IT youth staff on computer related activities.
Cara will also strategize and assist in strengthening the teen log-in database, conduct planning meetings with young people and staff to set up computer repair business, research/explore how the youth participating in the program might contribute to the financial sustainability of the program through the work which they produce and provide ongoing supervision for the computer lab and youth staff projects.
Project Outcome:
Cara created the syllabus for and developed the Open School class for teens who are out of school and working toward their GEDs as well as a video training class for youth.
She also did outreach for UTEC’s summer video programs, and connected with local museums, performing spaces, and local teens who expressed a desire to partipate in Cara’s video class.
Cara also helped plan events such as movie and discussion nights in the community.
Outreach and Web Development Specialist
Organization:
Somerville Community Access Television VISTA Name:
Christy Park
Program Start:
1/2005
Program End:
1/2006
Project Description:
The VISTA worker at SCAT would spearhead the effort to more fully integrate web-based services into SCAT’s operations. For example, we would like to provide an interactive program schedule on the Website, and provide producers with the option to archive their programs on our website to allow for video-on-demand. The VISTA would also help us transition to wireless connections for all our office computers.
The VISTA would work with local non-profit organizations on outreach projects, both in video and on the Web. The VISTA would train staff and members in video and web design skills.
Project Outcome:
Christy helped out with programing, including a monthly show called Talking About Somerville. She set up the lighting and manned (womanned) a camera and then edited the peice together putting titles and credits and music to it.
Christy attends local events around Boston interviewing and filming the community. She is currently working with one of our interns to start a show about the “issues” facing artists in somerville. She is hoping that anything from the cost of studio space to art education in public schools will be addressed. She has met with the host of another art show we do at SCAT to discuss the format of the show.
Christy is also teaching digital media courses to youth including a class on audio recording and garage band and a program called “Say Media!” where youth create music videos, PSAs, and documentaries.
Christy told us, “I have really enjoyed working with all of them. Some of them have really gotten into their projects and will stay several hours after the camp is through to finish up. they are pretty motivated (they should be, they get paid more than i do to teach, just to show up :) and they are producing some really neat youth media that will appear on our station.”
CTC Program Building and Outreach
Organization:
Technology for All VISTA Name:
Nichole Payne
Program Start:
9/2005
Program End:
9/2006
Project Description:
With initial funding for equipment and supplies from the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast and another anonymous grant, TFA has developed a Digital Media program at the Misión Milby Community Technology Center for youth in the East End. Over 60 youth signed up for this program. With the leadership, coordination and facilitation skills of our VISTA volunteer, Nikki Payne, youth in the program are learning skills for movie making, web design and other digital media tools.
Project Outcome:
Through the efforts of the Americorps VISTA volunteer services, nearly 2,000 middle school and high school students in the East End community have benefited from using the Mission Milby CDC computer lab. The lab activities are coordinated by Nikki Payne, Americorps VISTA volunteer. It is expected that this number will double by the end of the program year, in August.
With a digital media grant obtained through one of our volunteers during our work with Katrina evacuees, Nikki studied digital media programs in Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. Nikki returned with curriculum and digital media best practices for distribution to other community technology centers in Houston.