Silicon Valley tools help turn young lives around

Backed by $7.5 million a year from the Adobe Foundation and an army of well-trained mentors in what’s called Adobe Youth Voices http://www.youthvoices.adobe.com/youth-media-gallery/
, students in 45 countries have gone to work this year on high-quality videos produced with top-notch equipment and, of course, powerful video and design software.

The videos are born of the frustration and passion of young people who worry about war and gang violence, teen pregnancy and deportation, about the elimination of art and music in schools and the cruelty students can inflict upon one another.

"There is a whole level of seriousness that they bring to their

projects," says Miguel Salinas, Adobe’s senior manager, corporate social responsibility. "They know it’s not just some YouTube video that people just slap up there."

…

It’s hard to overstate what having an outlet means to all teenagers and some teenagers in particular. There is nothing worse than being young and misunderstood; nothing worse than having something to say and no way to say it. Or no way to get anyone to listen to it. The frustration boils in a caldron of longing, bewilderment, insecurity and doubt — unless there is a way to let it all pour out; a way that no one can take away from you.

"Not only do you inspire other people," Kaho says. "But you inspire yourself."

YOUTH VOICES VIDEOS

To view "Vision 2020" see http://vimeo.com/15761211

To view other Adobe Youth Voices videos see http://www.youthvoices.adobe.com/youth-media-gallery/

By Mike Cassidy

Mercury News Columnist

Full Story: http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_17584497?nclick_check=1

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Getting the shot: MAPS students producing documentary to air on PBS – MAPS program turns pro-bono work into class http://matr.net/article-43613.html

After The Bell: Inside The Maps Media Institute http://matr.net/article-43592.html

"MAPS – Pro-Bono: Giving Back to the Community" http://matr.net/article-43298.html