A Day In The Life Of A C4K Youth Member.
It is critical that our city’s young people feel connected and supported by communities of caring, trusted adults. C4K’s Youth Advisory Team invites Charlottesville to discover ‘A Day In The Life Of A C4K Member’ at their Annual Showcase event on Friday 25 August, 5-7pm (C4K: 945 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902, in the IX Building). Info and RSVP here: bit.ly/c4kinvite
Throughout the year, C4K’s youth members (aged 12 – 18) collaborate on science, technology, engineering, art, and math projects, working shoulder-to-shoulder with mentors to discover and create. C4K provides members with opportunities to engage with the latest technologies while building 21st-century college and work readiness skills. We believe learning should be fun! Showcased projects include:
C4K Executive Director Kala Somerville says, “We are encouraging the public to meet and celebrate our youth members on Friday, and consider becoming involved in making a real impact in our community, by mentoring! Mentoring relationships are basic human connections that let a young person know they matter. Statistics tell us that young adults who were at-risk for falling off track but had a mentor are: 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions. Having a mentor empowers young people to make smart choices that put them on a path to making good life decisions. Plus, mentoring is fun!”
About C4K
C4K is a free, after-school and summer mentoring program for youth in 7th -12th grade who qualify for free or reduced lunch and live in Charlottesville or County. C4K is about computers and so much more. We are a STEAM powered makerspace and Mentoring Studio. C4K empowers low-income youth by bringing together technology and imagination through supportive 1-on-1 and group mentoring, youth-driven programming, and skill building for life success.
Our youth members discover new interests and acquire jobs skills as they create their own animations, robots, movies, science experiments, podcasts, websites, music, 3D projects, and so much more! Members work with a 1-on-1 mentor and earn a free home laptop. Our programs help youth prepare for college and careers: 97% of our members graduate high school on time, and 92% have gone on to college.
C4K youth:
Mentoring happens on site at our downtown location in the IX Building, near many city schools.
Want to become a mentor?
Mentoring at C4K is a great opportunity for members of the public to serve as a role model to youth while building skills and connecting with like-minded volunteers in our community. C4K provides 1-on-1 and group mentors with training, support, and access to learning tools. All mentoring takes place at C4K’s creative learning studios in the Frank IX Building near downtown Charlottesville. Next new Mentor Orientation is September 7 & October 5 (Dinner provided. 5:30pm @ C4K – 945 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902).
Community members interested in mentoring can learn more by visiting www.computers4kids.net or calling 434-817-1121 ex. 2.
Want to become a member?
Being a member at C4K allows low-income youth a safe place to make new friends, express themselves, explore their interests, discover their greatest talents, and find out who they are.
Members can: design a t-shirt, build a robot, record a song, make jewelry, create a website, produce a TV show, start a business, earn a laptop and so much more!
Youth interested in becoming a member can learn more by visiting www.computers4kids.net or calling 434-817-1121 ex. 2.
