youth media
Youth Media Program Coordinator
Organization:
Grand Rapids Community Media Center VISTA Name:
Sarah Pierantoni
Program Start:
6/2007
Program End:
6/2008
Project Description:
Our Community Media Center is a cooperative of public access, nonprofit media including, GRTV, WYCE, GrandNet, the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID), the Mobile Learning Lab for Information Educaiton (MOLLIE) and the Wealthy Theater. We provide individuals and groups with access to the tools training and means of transmission they need to join our mission of “Building community through media”.
Our VISTA member will assist in video and other media productions, primarily with the Mobile Learning Lab for Information Education (MoLLIE). MoLLIE works in large part with youth in the local financially struggling school system to help teachers fulfill curriculum requirements while also teaching the students the skills of video production using digital video cameras and iBook computers for editing.
Project Outcome:
Over the course of Sarah’s Vistaship she has been instrumental in working with our various youth training programs providing a wide variety of skills. She was responsible for helping students make the best videos possible and teaching them to think critically about media and media messages. She took the initiative to outreach to communities we hadn’t worked with in the past including GLBT and the Triangle Foundation, and solidified relationships with them and our organization. She helped plan a film festival and worked on several video installations dealing with issues such as the war and discrimination. In addition, Sarah has helped out in our theater by operating the lighting board for concerts, selling tickets and running concessions. She teaches video production and editing classes to our members and so much more.
Here is a list of projects Sarah was involved in during her VISTA year:
1.Allegan County Community Mental Health: produced, shot and edited a documentary about the stigma of mental illness.
2. G.E.T. Girls Empowering Together: since January worked with a group of High School girls in a leadership mentoring program to mentor, produce, shot and edit a documentary about the program, “Breaking the Surface,” available for viewing at www.archive.org
3. The MOLLIE Club: a weekly video club for students in middle School that provides an opportunity for them to come in and Make videos.
4. MOLLIE (Mobile Learning Lab for Information Education): Went to area schools and non-profits teaching youth how to produce, shoot and edit videos.
5. Real Pride: helped start the planning process for a film and documentary series about LGBT issues.
Impact Quote:
“Sarah had an especially strong bond with [the G.E.T. program participants] and it was great to see their reaction to the documentary we helped them produce. They had a really fancy dinner with a lot of area dignitaries in attendance when the documentary was screened for the first time. Many commented to us afterwards about what a great project this was and committed to funding another program this year.”
- Gretchen Vinnedge, supervisor
Youth Media Lab Assistant
Organization:
Reel Works Teen Filmmaking VISTA Name:
Micheil Yohannes
Program Start:
1/2008
Program End:
1/2009
Project Description:
Our core media arts education program, The Lab, is a free after-school workshop that challenges Brooklyn high school students to produce short documentary videos about their lives. This program incorporates lessons in literacy (story-telling, scripting, editing), self-esteem and tolerance, technology and media literacy within the context of 1:1 mentoring with professional filmmakers.
The Lab Assistant will work with the Lab Coordinator, Directors, and other staff to enhance the capacity of The Lab, Reel Impact, and all other programs of Reel Works Teen Filmmaking. Duties include, but are not limited to
- media arts instruction;
- maintenance of technical equipment and media collection;
- assisting with the recruitment and training of volunteer filmmaker mentors;
- developing and maintaining relationships with schools, community centers, and neighborhoods in Brooklyn served by Reel Works;
- developing a youth advisory board;
- assisting with the distribution/outreach and public relations;
- and performing various administrative duties as needed.
Project Outcome:
In a lab used mainly by young people on a daily basis we run into many technical/equipment malfunctions that oftentimes have no explanation. Reel Works Teen Filmmaking operates on a “shoe-string” budget and would not have been as successful in the past year had it not been for Micheil’s superior troubleshooting skills. Oftentimes, the members of our skeleton staff would attempt to trouble shoot errors while simultaneously running other programs and teaching a class - making for a very hectic and crazy work day. The days we were fortunate enough to work with Micheil were always the most productive. The young people in our program owe a lot of their stress-free success to Micheil.
Outreach and Development Coordination
Organization:
Playing to Win (PTW) VISTA Name:
Kristen Wernicke
Program Start:
6/2003
Program End:
6/2004
Project Description:
In the fall of 2003, the Playing2Win organization welcomed the assistance of two Vista- Fellows: Mr. Max Benitez, Youth Technology Instructor, and Ms. Kristin Wernicke, Outreach and Development Coordinator. During the course of their tenure, Mr. Benitez and Ms. Wernicke served the center in several component capacities.
As Outreach and Development Coordinator, Ms. Wernicke’s responsibilities included the following:
•Researched, coordinated, wrote, and edited general operation and program-specific grants including those to AOL, Ford Foundation, C. Virginia Fields Borough Needs, Home Depot, and William T Grant Foundation.
•Developed and maintained relationships with youth, media, non-profit, and public interest organizations on the local and national levels, including the above mentioned Harlem organizations as well as the Global Action Project, Educational Video Center, Reel Youth, Camp Interactive, Manhattan Community Boards 10 and 11, and community websites east-harlem.org, mibarrio.org.
•Created local resource list for community technology center issues and similar organizations.
•Worked on building an infrastructure for outreach (i.e., managing and creating databases) that is accessible to youth and other staff.
•Developed and maintained outreach database
•Expanded and intensified program partnerships in New York City and the US
•Developed programs and assisted with planning for future outlook of the community technology center
•Researched and wrote both general operation and specific program grants
Project Outcome:
Vista Fellows were involved with the following:
• The development of research instruments and conduct of an on-going survey of 100 participants and adult and youth programs to better serve our community.
• The development of volunteer support program for the ongoing support of 10 volunteers and recruitment of 10 others.
• Oversaw teacher support assessments and provided ongoing support for 4 teachers in youth and adult programs.
• Provided technical support for our center to keep the 50 machines and network running smoothly
• Assisted with the development of 5-10 proposals to raise approximately $100,000
• Assisted in the development of our Job Training Program recruitment and development.
Impact Quote:
As the purpose of the AmeriCorps*VISTA program is to provide useful outreach to local communities, our participants echoed their sentiment through visible outreach and service projects. One example I am reminded of was the special PBS viewing of “Every Mother’s Son,” coordinated by Mr. Bentinez. The event called for local law enforcement agents and community members to come together in support of the idea of social change, justice and a forum for communication and healing. This project used the power of media and the passion of human nature to discuss the realities of police brutality in New York City. This event is also an example of a sustainable solution effort and the ability of change.
- Shawna BuShell, Executive Director
Youth Technology Instruction
Organization:
Playing to Win (PTW) VISTA Name:
Max Benitez
Program Start:
8/2003
Program End:
8/2004
Project Description:
In the fall of 2003, the Playing2Win organization welcomed the assistance of Mr. Max Benitez as Youth Technology Instructor. As Youth Technology Coordinator/Instructor, Mr. Bentinez’s responsibilities included:
•Assistant Instructor of Media Literacy and Video Editing to the Middle School Youth After-School Program
•Assistant Instructor of iMovie video editing workshop for Playing 2 Win’s adult members
•Assisted with the Development of science/ technology curriculum
•Consulted the P2W’s development team in creating a youth hip hop entrepreneurship program
•Collaborated with Teachers College Columbia University students and faculty in the creation of an online iMovie video editing tutorial for summer technology camp 2004.
•Edited a video promoting a Harlem Renaissance Economic Development Corporation annual event “Art at the Park”
•Represented P2W on the Studio Museum in Harlem Community Advisory Board
•Created Virtual Reality images of Playing 2 Win facilities for the new website
•Created a TV commercial for Harlem Renaissance Economic Development Corporation’s Art at the Park Event
•Developed a series of Public Service Announcements about Playing 2 Win’s offerings
•Provided consultant support for the development team on program concepts and equipment needs
Project Outcome:
Vista Fellows were involved with the following:
• The development of research instruments and conduct of an on-going survey of 100 participants and adult and youth programs to better serve our community.
• The development of volunteer support program for the ongoing support of 10 volunteers and recruitment of 10 others.
• Oversaw teacher support assessments and provided ongoing support for 4 teachers in youth and adult programs.
• Provided technical support for our center to keep the 50 machines and network running smoothly
• Assisted with the development of 5-10 proposals to raise approximately $100,000
• Assisted in the development of our Job Training Program recruitment and development.
Impact Quote:
As the purpose of the AmeriCorps*VISTA program is to provide useful outreach to local communities, our participants echoed their sentiment through visible outreach and service projects. One example I am reminded of was the special PBS viewing of “Every Mother’s Son,” coordinated by Mr. Bentinez. The event called for local law enforcement agents and community members to come together in support of the idea of social change, justice and a forum for communication and healing. This project used the power of media and the passion of human nature to discuss the realities of police brutality in New York City. This event is also an example of a sustainable solution effort and the ability of change.
- Shawna BuShell, Executive Director
Youth Media Program Building
Organization:
Portland Community Media VISTA Name:
Gariet Cowin
Program Start:
9/2006
Program End:
6/2008
Project Description:
OLLIE, Oregon Learning Lab for Information Education
The Oregon Learning Lab for Information Education, also known as OLLIE, is a collaborative effort between Portland Community Media and Metro East Community Media to meet the media education and technology needs of under-served youth, schools, and community-based organizations in Multnomah County, Oregon. OLLIE provides media literacy, tools and training to a variety of young people by bringing multimedia technology into the classroom.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The VISTA will work with the OLLIE coordinator, educators from Portland Community Media and Multnomah Community Television, and area schools and community centers to meet the goals of the OLLIE project.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Learn and be able to teach the OLLIE curriculum and equipment
• Participate in OLLIE productions as a trainer
• Communicate with OLLIE Coordinator regarding scheduling
• Keep a personal schedule of OLLIE training responsibilities
• Arrive at OLLIE projects on time and prepared
• Working with community partners to plan successful OLLIE projects and events
• Developing youth outreach and education efforts of Portland Community Media and Multnomah Community Television.
• Participate in OLLIE maintenance and development
• Research and submit OLLIE media works to
International, national and local film festivals
Project Outcome:
In developing OLLIE’s digital distribution strategy, Gariet has achieved three major accomplishments.
First, Gariet brought the OLLIE program and Portland Community Media into the Youth Video Exchange Network (YVXN) as a steering partner. OLLIE’s participation in YVXN has allowed us to share broadcast quality student work with other youth media centers around the country, as well as acquire youth media content to broadcast on our own channels.
In parallel to his work with NYMAP, Gariet also researched and set up a blip.tv site for the OLLIE program. This site allows us to share our videos with others at any time, and in turn allows our visitors to post the videos on their websites and blogs.
Finally, Gariet developed a website for the project using the Drupal content management system. This site provides a comprehensive resource about the program for the communities we serve, and includes a searchable video database. Through his research and work with Drupal and blip.tv for our youth project, Gariet has set a course for the Media Center as a whole. Recently a staff member expressed that Gariet’s ability to explain the benefits and values of these technologies to others led to the media center to develop a digital distribution plan that incorporated the lessons he has learned. Gariet’s work has also had an impact on the larger community, including interesting and attracting a local foundation to provide operational funding for our project.
Impact Quote:
“Gariet’s technology skills and ability to learn and teach new technologies has been an extremely valuable asset to the OLLIE project. Gariet is also an excellent teacher. He is able to engage and inspire his students as they plan and create their video projects. Gariet’s positive attitude about working with this project and VISTA is enjoyed by those who work with him. His commitment to helping others and the value of youth media is appreciated.”
- Laura Craig-Bennett, supervisor
CTC Youth Program Building
Organization:
Bruce Wall Ministries/Prep Community Computer Center VISTA Name:
Michelle Walson
Program Start:
8/2002
Program End:
8/2003
Project Outcome:
During the year, Michelle developed curricula for using multimedia with youth. This involved developing curriculum for video production, graphic design and web design among other activities. She has documented this work and made it available online on her Website.
In addition, Michelle developed a curriculum and program for a computer club and youth volunteer program. We had over 20 youth participants in the computer club, and we had about 5 youth volunteer in our youth volunteer program. Michelle has documented this curriculum and made it available on her Website.
After her year as a VISTA, Michelle plans to go to grad school to study filmmaking.
Computer Training Curriculum Development
Organization:
Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) VISTA Name:
Alison Hale
Program Start:
8/2001
Program End:
11/2002
Project Description:
Alison has gotten a great deal accomplished in the past six months: the completion and maintenance of a student-tracking database, the revision of our Introduction to Computers curriculum including the translation of portions into Spanish, the development of a curriculum for a Netscape Composer class, the expansion of our Technology Center’s software library, the development of a plan to encourage computer use among the adult population of Villa Victoria, and work towards the creation of a youth magazine. In addition, Alison has continued to work with community residents in open lab and to otherwise help maintain the technology center.
Project Outcome:
Alison’s assistance to launch and to implement the Introduction to Computers at the technology center has helped the residents of the Villa Victoria to understand the basics of computers operation via a three-day class. This program has trained over 250 people and distributed 91 computers among our community.
Impact Quote:
Without Alison, El Batey Technology Center simply would not have been so successful, she is an intelligent young woman with many talents and a true interest in community. The Villa Victoria has gained a wonderful friend in Alison and we hope she knows she will always have a home here.
Community Art Center, Inc.
Website:
http://www.communityartcenter.org/ Location:
Cambridge, MA
The Community Art Center is committed to our mission of nurturing children and young adults with limited access to financial resources so they achieve personal and cultural growth, and have a positive impact on their world through joyful experiences in the arts.
Through our 75 years in operation we have propelled close to 8000 Cambridge youth to develop themselves artistically, academically, and socially. We achieve this by providing a combined total of approximately 3000 program hours per year through two central programs: School Age Child Care (SACC) and the Teen Media Program (TMP).
The Art Center serves the public housing developments and the surrounding ‘Area 4’ neighborhood in Cambridge. Approximately 80% of housing development families live below the poverty level, with many receiving public assistance. Our 2 programs capture the creative spirit of children who without us would be “at home bored, doing nothing” or “on the streets.”
A School Age Child Care (SACC) Program, engages children, ages 5-12, in a hands-on arts-based curriculum year-round, operating after-school Mon-Fri 2:00-6:00 pm and all day weekdays during school vacations and summer.
The Teen Media Program (TMP), for youth 13-19, gives teens an opportunity to be heard by the larger public through the media arts. TMP offers seasonal Youth Media training and leadership facilitation. Partners include Boys and Girls Groups, Genuine Productions (a youth business venture) and Youth Advisory Board.
“Art, Access & Action: The Moral Imperative?” (A Major Arts & Media Summit in Chicago)
When:
April 8, 2010 - April 9, 2010
Where:
Chicago, IL Welcome.
This year a bunch of groups, organizations, and individuals will be coming together to host a major arts & media summit in Chicago. The Summit will be held at Columbia College Chicago and happen on April 8th and 9th from 10 am to 9 pm on both days.
Here is a list of organizations and individuals involved:
PEOPLE
Jeff Biggers, author of “Reckoning at Eagle Creek”
Elisa Kriesinger, PoliticalRemixVideo.com
Patrick Lichty, member of the Yes Men/Columbia College instructor
Kari Lydersen, In These Times contributing editor