Computers, Art and Breakfast

Vancouver, B.C.: Purple Thistle Centre

The CAP site at the Purple Thistle Centre is a thriving and highly used component of the Purple Thistle Community. As a youth-run arts and activism centre in East Vancouver, the lab serves hundreds of youth of all ages. Along with offering access to traditional art practices such as painting, drawing, sewing and sculpture - with support of the Community Access Program the Thistle offers free access to computers, printers, scanners, and access to the Internet. Computer technology has become an important part of art-making. In my short time as the CAP Youth Intern at the site, I have assisted artists and the general public with our Adobe Creative Suite software - which is used for photography, printmaking, poster making and zine-creation. I have also revitalized the website and utilize social networking to reach the general public. In 2010, I will be conducting a workshop on graphic design and desktop publishing. The Community Access Program has been more than just a job for me, the workshops and training have been invaluable to my development as an artist and as a user of technology. As a newcomer to the city of Vancouver, this position has helped me create lasting connections with the community that the Purple Thistle serves, it has literally become a second home for me. Places like the Purple Thistle NEED computer labs that are free and publicly accessible.

Moose Jaw, Sask.: Joe's Place

Joe's Place is a youth centre that is open free of charge to all Moose Jaw youth between the ages of 14 and 19. The centre is open for regular drop-in hours on Friday and Saturday evenings until 1:00 a.m. Joe's Place features pool tables, video games, a concession stand, a light and sound system, and many unique decorations, all of which make it a favourite location for this "hang-out" generation of youth. An average of 100 youth attend Joe's Place every night, but a crowd of 300 isn't unheard of for concerts and special events! Many dedicated volunteers give freely of their weekend nights to build relationships with these youth. Joe's Place is open during the week as well, Tuesdays find us gathering over a hot meal for group discussions, while Wednesdays we work side by side with youth to complete tasks and projects while getting to know one another. We plan day trips and other special events for outside of regular hours.

This youth center, which incorporates a CAP site, is hoping to expand a commercial kitchen to feed hungry youth and teach job-skills. They will also add a Cyber café area with CAP computers.