Pro Tech Media Centre aims to attract youth like Shavar Cox.
photo by bianca hall
Biz/Tech Reporter
A media centre offering free high-end computer access to the community near North Campus is encouraging at-risk young people to further their education. The program wants to offer accredited courses this fall so that the time students spend in the workshops will count toward their high school diploma.
“We’re trying to look at different ways in which we’re able to hook in and grab those youth,” said Melodie Downey, director of the Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre.
The centre opened at the Finch Avenue and Albion Road mall in July 2007 with the help of the city, the YMCA, Microsoft Canada, Toronto Community Housing, Humber College and the Humber Students Federation.
Since opening, it has signed up 407 members and received 2,193 repeat visits.
Members have access to a range of media options from basic computer access and homework help to workshops on 3D animation and website design.
The centre is looking into developing new programs and giving members the option to use them as a way to get school credit.
“We’re going to do some professional development around that so staff are able to teach at the level in which the ministry is requesting,” said Downey.
Nick Chamberlain, who graduated from Humber’s 3-D animation and multimedia design production programs, works at the centre and said it’s a job with rewards.
“I really like it. I didn’t expect to be teaching, but I really like it. It’s a fulfilling job experience knowing you can make a difference.”
The centre was originally developed as way of addressing issues such as violence and gang problems in one of the 13 neighbourhoods most affected by violence and crime in Toronto.
Humber’s president is currently helping the program get established in the remaining twelve communities.
“To me it’s about building capacity in the community, the capacity to reach their own goals,” said John Davies. “And I think that pays off in terms of safety and security too. If people are doing well in school, if they’re going on to post-secondary education, people are getting jobs, and that affects issues of safety and security.”