Raleigh Digital Connectors Program - A unique experience connecting our young adults to their 21st Century world!
Raleigh Digital Connectors Program!The City of Raleigh, in partnership with One Economy, is providing the Digital Connectors training program for Raleigh youth. Digital Connectors is a nationally renowned program created by One Economy that provides technology training and mentoring for young people, age 14 through 21, from diverse and low-income background.
Digital Connectors are dedicated to improving their communities and themselves through technology and community service. The Digital Connectors program offers youth a chance to expand 21st Century technology skills, develop professional life skills, explore workplace pathways, and serve their communities. Through a Broadband Technology Opportunities grant, One Economy is providing partial funding for training Raleigh's first 60 Digital Connectors through June 2012. Longer term, the City of Raleigh intends to sustain the program through strategic partnerships and offer expanded levels of digital readiness, including Cisco Essentials training and certification. Raleigh aims to develop a sustainable program other communities can use for preparing their youth to succeed in the 21st Century workplace. Digital Connectors practice real world job skills while serving their community. Digital Connectors alumni will serve as ambassadors teaching their families, friends, and neighbors to take advantage of the digital economy. Each Digital Connector commits to 56 hours of community service. During the academic school year, Digital Connectors attend classes two evenings a week for a total of five hours. Youth learn technical, leadership, social and life skills through a combination of instructor-led training, team exercises, field trips, guest speakers, and community service. Participation in this interactive, challenging learning experience culminates in a formal graduation celebration and the opportunity to continue serving the community as Digital Connectors Alumni. Graduates of the program receive $500, a new laptop computer, a portable video camera and other incentives for participating. In an innovative technology room at the Saint Monica Teen Center, Digital Connectors learn skills in twelve core competencies: Leadership and Diversity, Personal Development, Workforce Development, Financial Literacy, Community Mapping, Digital Literacy, Hardware and Networks, Software and Programming, Media Production and Civic Journalism, Environment and Stability, Service and Global Engagement, and Teaching/Facilitation.Digital Connectors receive long-lasting benefits by increasing their computer knowledge, learning the value of access and digital inclusion in their community, becoming certified in Ever-Fi financial literacy, entrepreneurship and life skills, and becoming young leaders in the community. Digital Connectors serve their community by:
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