Best Buy sponsors DigiU Tech Labs to Enhance Leadership and Learning Partnerships with Digipreneurship University
PRESS RELEASE
December 5th
Jacksonville, Florida – APEL Health Services Center, Inc. (APEL), was recently awarded a $5,000 technology grant from Best Buy Children’s Foundation. APEL, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operating in Northeast Florida since 1999, is dedicated to health/wellness & disease prevention/ intervention.
The Best Buy grant is directed to local and regional nonprofit organizations that provide teens with places and opportunities to develop 21st-century technology skills that will inspire future education and career choices.
“Our youth need digital literacy training and knowledge about accessing and safely utilizing new media. We know that technology drives progress and the more our youth know, the more successful they will be,” says Mr. Stokes, Executive Director at APEL.
Project YouthLink is APEL’s signature comprehensive youth-oriented program designed to meet the needs of communities challenged with broadband education and access. The grant will assist in providing online and on-site technology mentoring to Teen Peer Educators (TPEs) in hopes of fostering peer leadership for youth who need critical access to new media skills. APEL’s Project YouthLink is facilitated by Teen Digipreneurs and is overseen by trained and qualified adult staff, YouthLink Program Coordinators.
APEL will administer the grant and Digipreneur specialist coaches and consultants will facilitate digital literacy. Mr. Shannon is a pioneer of innovative platforms and concepts with over 20 years of professional experience in business development and instructional design. Upon completion of training, the “Digipreneurs” will educate and tutor younger children in basic computer literacy, mobile safety, and learn to track their digital footprint.
APEL has strong ties to the community and has established confidential and trusting relationships, gaining the respect of community leaders, officials, stakeholders, and gatekeepers. These collaborations expose clients to culturally appropriate resources within their communities and meet multiple needs. APEL has served at least 9,000 Duval County residents.
“Digipreneurship is all about cultivating the best character in youth to grow the mindset that’s critical to success as an entrepreneur. We are excited to introduce a tech curriculum to APEL that’s more fully engaging for young people to embrace innovative technology. We truly need more private-public partnerships that emphasize STEM education and the importance of career mentoring.”, says Shannon, founder of Digipreneurship University.
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