CINCINNATI – Best Buy kicked off the season of giving with a grant in support of Cincinnati Museum Center’s Youth Programs, helping to give teens the opportunity to develop critical skills to succeed in college and their future careers.
In the career fields of the 21st century, technology skills are critical to success. However, many teens have little or no access to technology and as a result fall behind their peers. The Best Buy Foundation is committed to providing teens with opportunities to develop technology skills that will inspire future education and career choices.
“As technology becomes more ingrained in our society, Best Buy knows it is increasingly necessary for youth to develop the 21st century skills that will set them up for future career success. Yet, we also know that a participation gap exists. Too many teens have little or no access to technology and, as a result, they fall behind their peers,” says C. Brian Stevens of Best Buy . “Best Buy believes in the power of teens, and invests our resources, including the energy and talents of our employees, to provide teens with access to the opportunities that technology can provide, helping them build 21st century skills, and inspiring their future education and career choices.”
Cincinnati Museum Center’s Youth Programs offer teens access to state-of-the-art technology impacting the fields of science, history and child development. The American Alliance of Museums has recognized Cincinnati Museum Center’s Youth Programs as “a national model for urban museums working with at-risk students.”
“Best Buy’s generous support of our Youth Programs allows us to continue to offer exciting and unprecedented opportunities over one hundred students each year,” says Elizabeth Pierce, COO of Cincinnati Museum Center. “Technology and the skillsets needed for success are constantly changing but with the support of Best Buy, our Youth Programs can better equip and prepare students to meet those needs and achieve success. It’s truly an honor for us to be able to offer that advantage to so many students each year and we look forward to watching these students go out into the world and become leaders in both existing and emerging career fields.”
Cincinnati Museum Center’s Youth Programs is a tuition-free youth development initiative designed to enhance the creativity, confidence and success of teens. Members come from 58 different schools and 17 home-schooled situations, representing diverse ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Participating in workshops, field trips, college visits, volunteerism and other learning opportunities, Youth Programs members learn valuable life and work skills. They benefit from the interactions and work within the museums, exploring science, history and child development through hands-on experiences with a team of leading professionals. The ultimate goal of the program is high school graduation with a plan for the future. Since 1998, 99% of all Youth Programs graduates have continued on to pursue a four-year college degree.
For more information, visit www.cincymuseum.org