How Project Media began

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Four motivated mothers addressed the needs of marginalized youth to create Project Media. Media creation, nutrition and physical activity were just some of the topics covered throughout this powerful learning adventure!

Teaching media creation is a great way to encourage young voices to shine. Project Media took it a step further and hired a group of young people to learn both media production and practical skills for everyday living.

Four motivated mothers, fed up with a lack of accessible arts programming, put together Project Media, aimed at young people facing barriers to employment and education. The results were a powerful learning process.

Six participants embarked in a 20 week program designed to develop employability and life skills such as team building, critical thinking and organization.

Follow their journey and other similar projects, here! All that's missing is your complementary media!

Article

How Project Media began

How Project Media began

by, Jill Prescesky

This project evolved around a kitchen table, where four motivated mothers, with a vested interest in their community, committed themselves to addressing the need for more arts related programming to reach youth. Specifically those who are marginalized and facing barriers to employment and education.

Concern for young people in our community dramatically increased after several violent incidents. One proved fatal as a 15 year old was shot and left to die in an alley close to home.

Since that tragic event, we have spent many hours meeting with community organizations, three levels of government, professional mentors in media, educational and cultural institutions.

Project Media is the direct result of a fruitful collaboration.

Predominantly funded by the federal government, six participants were chosen to partake in this paid learning adventure. To be eligible, the youth (16-30 yrs.) had to be out of school and out of work.

They participated in a 20 week program designed to develop employability and life skills such as team building, critical thinking and organization (time management). A French component addressed the emotional and cultural barriers to acquiring a second language.

In each task-based workshop, facilitated by professional mentors Janice Dayle (radio) and Phyllis Lewis (video), participants explored community issues such as gay bashing, graffiti, sex, drugs, and police brutality. Their final products continue to be shared throughout the community.

Other workshops included employability, collective cooking, and art in public places.

Participants also helped out with local community initiatives such as recuperating and distributing food and laying the stones in a community garden.

Many partners contributed workshops, services and support:

Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi N.D.G.

Ville de Montreal

Commission scolaire de Montreal

Head and Hands

Caisse Desjardins N.D.G.

McGill University

CKUT (radio McGill)

The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts

Ministre de l’immigration et des communautés culturelles