Program Building
Organization:
United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) VISTA Name:
Dirk Knoelder
Program Start:
4/2002
Program End:
4/2003
Project Description:
Dirk has begun to enhance the infrastructure of our Tech Goes Home Program by contacting Codman Square Health Center and looking into possible donations for new computers. He has also be working on developing a family involvement component into the curriculum.
He has started teaching a new digital photography and young men’s creative writing program, both offered weekly at the center. He will be creating resource manuals for both of these classes which will prove to be very helpful in institutionalizing these programs.
And finally, he is now taking on the responsibility of planning our new music recording program. He will be working with a sound recording student from UMASS-Lowell in order to coordinate this project.
Project Outcome:
Due to budget cuts, Dirk has also taken on most of the responsibilities in terms of coordinating our video project. He has undergone training from our Multimeida Coordinator and will now be working with a group of teens so that they can eventually facilitate most of the project’s work.
Impact Quote:
Approximately two weeks ago, the United Nations celebrated its annual International Day of Peace. As UTEC was invited to participate in this event (celebrated in Boston), we decided to put together a videotape of how young people define peace in their own local communities. Dirk was able to work with many young people to get this video accomplished and shown in front of all those in attendance at this event. There is some amazing footage on this tape, particularly of older gang members (ages 22-25) who speak about their own experiences of violence and how they are now working with UTEC’s Peace Team on mediation work with current gang members in Lowell. Dirk did an excellent job of putting this work together so that it would best reflect the voices of these young people.