Neighbors Empowering Youth Is Setting Up Local Students For Success In A Computer Driven World

Neighbors Empowering Youth (N.E.Y) is a non-profit that provides computers and computer training to the under-served youth of the Pasadena and Altadena communities who are vulnerable to the effects of poverty, crime, gang involvement, unemployment, and academically at-risk.

Since its inception in 1998, this hands on training ground has provided hundreds of middle school age students the tools and experience needed to complete and succeed in the demanding job markets while at the same time being mentored by local professionals. It is set to present an open house on Saturday to showcase the student’s work that features racing robots, quad copters in flight and more.

“Neighbors Empowering Youth is where our community’s kids can explore, learn and create today as a way to prepare for jobs tomorrow,” said N.E.Y. Founder John Smith.

The inspiration for N.E.Y. came back in 1998 when Smith, who works for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, wanted to use his work experience providing services to kids and people far from home and use it to his advantage by doing the same right here in Pasadena.

“I’m wanted to do something at home working with the youth here instead of always helping out the rest of the world far away,” said Smith. “It’s always been my goal to contribute and make a difference locally.”

N.E.Y. partnered with Neighbors Acting Together Helping All on Lincoln Ave. just north of John Muir High School o establish an after school program open to any and all students to receive instruction from eight working Jet Propulsion Laboratory mentors who, along with Lockheed Martin, donate out of service technology such as computers and other device to N.E.Y. for students to work with and eventually master.

Other corporate sponsors include Pasadena Community Foundation, NASA and the Department of Justice, who allow N.E.Y to establish community technology centers, outreach programs, and in home computer placement.

“We have about 2,800 square feet of lab for them to work in,” said Smith.

N.E.Y.’s mission and goal of their program reflects the collective efforts of parents, teachers, business, and community leaders who believe that access and training will aid to eliminate the documented disadvantages of “the digital divide” that is produced by the growing technology advancement that are inaccessible to so many individuals, according to the website.

There are currently 20 kids involved in the N.E.Y. program and come from Marshall Fundamental School, Pasadena High School, Aveson Charter School and Odyssey Charter School in addition to home schooled students who meet regularly Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“We accept anyone who wants to participate and they can come in at any time,” said Smith.

According to Smith, the Educated Dedicated Gifted Empowered (EDGE) program that is being featured at the open house event is designed to give the students a chance to apply what they are learning during the day in a real world working environment.

N.E.Y.’s robotic program is a popular choice among students and gives them access to a $12 million national scholarship pool through competitions and challenges.

“We try to create an environment where they can explore a lot of different areas. If we get more volunteers to bring their skill sets at the center, we will be able to provide more,” said Smith.

Smith mentioned that lots of students have gone on to work in the technology industry for different companies, most notably Dreamworks.

“I like to think the N.E.Y. sparks and captures the interest the kids have for technology. It’s around us all the time practically everywhere we go and I think they are starting to understand the importance of staying on top of that,” said Smith.

The EDGE open house will feature four student built robots that guest will be able to drive around a home made race track with prizes at stake that include flat screens, printers, scanners, computer monitors and much more.

The event will take place Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 2011 N. Lincoln Ave and is free and open to the public.

For more information about Neighbors Empowering Youth visit http://www.neypcworkshop.org.