Contact: Kala Somerville
434-817-1121
kala@c4kclubhouse.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
C4K teams up with Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, Provides Charlottesville Teens with Career Exploration Opportunities, Mentorship and Cutting-Edge Technology Access
Charlottesville – Computers4Kids (C4K) is hosting a grand reopening Friday, April 28th, for a newly renovated, state-of-the-art Best Buy Teen Tech Center®, a program of the Best Buy Foundation, that will serve C4K youth in the Charlottesville area. Through the partnership, the Teen Tech Center provides a safe space for C4K youth to create, learn and explore using the latest cutting-edge technology with the support of peers and adult mentors.
What: Grand reopening and youth showcase at C4K in partnership with the Best Buy Teen Tech Center program
When: April 28, 2023; 4:30 p.m.
Where: C4K, 945 2nd Street SE, Charlottesville, VA
Who: Spokespeople from Best Buy, The Clubhouse Network, C4K, and Juandiego Wade, vice mayor of Charlottesville, will deliver remarks at the event.
Why: The event celebrates mentoring and advancing tech equity for the youth in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area.
At the C4K Teen Tech Center, youth can develop critical skills for their future careers through hands-on activities that explore their interests in photography, augmented and virtual reality, digital media, 3-D design, audio engineering and more.
C4K Executive Director Kala Somerville stated, “This new partnership with the Best Buy Teen Tech Center provides new resources and strengthens and expands C4K’s program offerings, giving youth access to tech education opportunities and supporting relationships that help to build a foundation for school and career success.”
There are more than 50 Best Buy Teen Tech Centers across the country with a goal to build 100 by 2025.
C4K is the first Best Buy Teen Tech Center to come to the state of Virginia.
“We are beyond excited to open the first Teen Tech Center in Virginia, providing a space where Charlottesville youth can explore and experience countless opportunities that set them up for their bright futures,” said Andrea Wood, Vice President of Social Impact at Best Buy. “With support from partners, C4K and Meta, we’ll continue to inspire and encourage youth to go after their dreams.”
About C4K:
C4K combines mentoring and technology to prepare youth for brighter futures. C4K equips Charlottesville area youth with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills that prepare them to be competitive for college and career opportunities. We do so through:
- Supportive 1:1 and group mentoring
- Workshops led by community experts
- Field trips to help members explore college and career possibilities
- Access to industry-level technology
- A vibrant and fun learning environment
We are open year-round as a place youth can freely access cutting-edge technology, daily learning opportunities, and caring mentors outside of school. Mentoring at C4K is a great opportunity for members of the public to serve as role models, build skills and connect with others. To learn more about C4K programming, visit http://www.c4kclubhouse.org.
About Best Buy Teen Tech Centers:
Best Buy Teen Tech Centers® provide safe, after-school spaces where teens can get hands-on experience with the latest technology. Adult mentors and volunteers provide support for youth to create, innovate and explore. Teens can explore their passions with access to cutting-edge technology including tools for film production, augmented and virtual reality, digital media, 3-D design, audio engineering, and so much more. Teens also have access to career training programs, internships, job opportunities, and scholarships for post-secondary education.
As part of our commitment to support youth across the country, we have set a goal of building 100 new Teen Tech Center locations by 2025, expanding the program’s reach to communities nationwide. For more information about the Best Buy Teen Tech Center program, visit here.
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