Casa Libre Multimedia Center

Goal

The goal of the planned Casa Libre Multimedia Center is to provide homeless and at risk children living in the Casa Libre house and homeless children residing at other local shelters opportunities to study and learn multimedia skills including music, film, and photography, and to find avenues for these children for artistic self-expression.

The program will be housed in the separate 800-square foot double-story Carriage House on the grounds of the Casa Libre home. Prior to program commencement, the site requires extensive renovation. An architect has been retained to design the interior of the planned multimedia studio.

Until the site has been renovated, a preliminary multi-media program has been established and is implemented in the Casa Libre main house. The program currently has available for participant use ten new Macintosh computers, music, and recording equipment. Staff and volunteers teach program participants skills in computer technology, musical instruments, photography, etc.

Objectives

The objectives of the planned Casa Libre Multimedia Center are:

• To provide homeless and at risk children and youth with opportunities for self-expression through the arts;
• To provide homeless and at risk children and youth with incentives to continue their education in the arts and related subjects;
• To provide tutoring/training in the areas of music, film and photography for homeless and at risk children in order to prepare them for possible internships or employment in these or related areas of work.

Initial program tasks

• Operation of an interim program involving painting, photography, music, etc. using one large room in the Casa Libre house
  
• Development of an advisory board of concerned producers, artists, photographers, filmmakers, and technicians
• Recruitment of partners (individuals/companies) willing to make tax-deductible donations of multimedia equipment no longer in use by the partner
• Recruitment of presenters/tutors (teachers, professors, artists, photographers, filmmakers, technicians, etc.) interested in providing lessons, presentations and/or demonstrations for homeless and at risk youth participants
• Research regarding available funding for multimedia projects in low-income neighborhoods
• Renovation of the Casa Libre Carriage House for use as a multimedia center (estimate $75,000)