Young People’s Computer Center Opens, Bridges Digital Divide

The Philadelphia Student Union is opening a brand new public computer center exclusively for middle school and high school aged youth. The Young People’s Computer Center will offer free, weekly college access workshops designed to help students navigate the path to college and careers. The Center features 14 new computers, including a 5-station Youth Media Lab, where young people can learn radio production, video editing and advanced computer skills.

The opening of the Young People’s Computer Center comes on the heels of a United Nations report that declares internet access is a human right, “Given that the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights… ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all states."

The Philadelphia Student Union's Young People's Computer Center is the result of a partnership with the Media Mobilizing Project, an organization that played a central role in securing federal funding for digital literacy education and computer centers in Philadelphia through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). BTOP, which is part of President Obama's American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, is aimed at closing the digital divide between the wealthy and the poor and working classes.

“This computer center is going to make a big difference for students, especially since our schools are losing a lot of resources right now with the budget cuts. We really need a place to get online, do homework and get help with college applications. The Young People’s Computer Center will be that place," said D’atwan Nelson, a student at West Philadelphia High School.

The Philadelphia Student Union is a youth-led community-based organization with a 15 year track record of increasing educational access, attainment, and outcomes for Philadelphia public school students. PSU has 8 school-based chapters and citywide members from an additional 17 schools. Access to the Young People’ s Computer Center is offered to any and all middle and high school students in Philadelphia.

Young People's Computer Center Info
Location: 4205 Chestnut St, Floor 2, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Summer Hours:  Monday-Thursday 11am-5pm
Free College Access & Jobs Workshops for Youth: Thursdays @ 1pm in July, August
                  

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