Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami recently announced the launch of the new YOUmedia Miami center, a space designed to introduce local youth to technology and support talent growth with $250,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Part of a national network of learning centers, YOUmedia opened at the Big Brothers and Sisters Miami headquarters, at the Carnival Center for Excellence, 550 NW 42 Ave.
The center aims to help nurture talent in Miami and expand opportunities for teens interested in tech careers. Aligned with the overall mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the center will place special emphasis on attracting residents from low income areas across greater
Miami. It will offer youth, ages 5-18, wide access to computers, Internet, and digital media tools to promote learning and the development of tech skills in areas such as sound recording, video production, the creation of mobile applications and photography.
It also will provide parents of youth participants and volunteers contributing in the Big Brothers and Big Sister’s mentoring programs access to new skills and technical knowledge.
The lab’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 6 p.m. and the first and third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Programming is scheduled to start in early December with classes offered in coding, drop the mic, film crew, creative digital skills and photography.
In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters will get feedback and insights from leaders at Miami-Dade County Public Libraries that are already operating two YOUmedia locations, as well as national leaders associated with youmedia.org.
“Together with the Knight Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami is creating a digital pathway to success for the youth we serve,” said Gale Nelson, president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami.
“Through YOUmedia, we will help our youth gain digital literacy and better prepare to compete in the 21st Century workplace,” Nelson added.
“Talent is universal across Miami, but opportunities to nurture and develop that talent are still too few in many parts of our community.
The YOUmedia center at Big Brothers Big Sisters aims to change that by providing the tools and mentorship for young people to strengthen their tech and creative skills. This is a key effort in building Miami’s next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Matt Haggman,
Knight Foundation program director for Miami. For more information on the Big Brothers Big Sisters YOUmedia lab visit www.bbbsmiami.org.
