Youth Design Center
Provide STEAM educational programs to minority youth
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Sponsor: George Murphy
Youth Design Center: Grantee in 2021 and 2022-23
YDC works primarily with minority 14-24-year-olds in the Brownsville and Ocean Hill neighborhoods of Brooklyn, NY – communities where almost 95% of all residents are Black or Latinx, YDC has been on a mission to give disconnected youth practical, hands-on training in STEAM that will enable them to more easily access higher education and ultimately achieve greater economic stability.
Operating as a youth creative agency and innovation hub, YDC provides training in design thinking, art, multimedia, tech, and communication skill. A series of studios and mentorship programs focus on a variety of disciplines in and around design. Mentoring opportunities complement this technical training and give young people the important leadership tools needed to compete in the innovation economy and be successful leaders in their community.
YDC offers a core Creative Apprenticeship Program (CAP) designed to provide entry to tech design professions. It consists of instruction followed by a capstone project led by mentors to complete client-commissioned assignments as well as projects that add value to the community.
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GRANT SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
2021: $30,000 used to create, test and measure a hybrid version of the CAP program that combines online and in-person instruction. This new format will allow YDC to greatly expand its services. Funds will cover part of the costs of salaries, computer systems and youth stipends.
2022-23: $20,000 will be used to create a new CAP 3D Design + Architecture program developed to expose students to a full range of applications from product design to architecture, and to act as a foundation for career development. The curriculum will provide a skills-based multi-level program aimed at learning, understanding and experiencing 3D design, and will expose students to complementary business and marketing tools applicable to e-commerce and freelancing.
IMPACT
YDC offers leadership tools to youth in Brooklyn by providing STEAM curriculum, training and mentorship in design professions; by preparing youth for higher education, employment and greater economic stability; and by engaging youth to make positive contributions to their local community.
