Symantec Days went extremely well this year.  Many different sponsors (see list at right) helped to make this year's event the best ever! Lots of learning and fun was packed into the three day event. 

Day 1

Community Technology Training

Angel Rodriguez and Jovanni Hernandez (Hopeworks Trainees), Sue Rich (Symantec) and Father Jeff presented a 4 hour training on backup techniques and SKYPE technology.

Technology Scavenger Hunt

Over 20 youth participated in our annual technology scavenger hunt.  This event emphasizes Hopeworks motto of "Learning To Learn".  Eleven different "technology" stations were set up around Hopeworks (one even outside involving GIS) and youth visited each station and tried to solve a problem.  If successful, youth earned a ticket for a raffle.  Some of the technology that the youth were learning about included: Bluetooth peer to peer computer sharing; Skype communications; usage of Google Maps;introduction to Scratch; using Microsoft Backup and much more.  Many of the stations were "interactive" requiring youth to gain one piece of data that they would need to successfully complete another station. To enhance the learning, youth had to discover the stations themselves!  Much fun was had on this day! 

Day 2

Comcast Professional Visit

Hopeworks visited two Comcast offices in which the youth were exposed to the world of cable.  Youth had a chance to listen in on service calls within the Comcast call center, visit the Comcast "living room" of the future where new Comcast technologies were being explored (voice controlled remotes, etc.) and also heard about possible internships at Comcast.

Riversharks Game

The Comcast trip was concluded with an evening at the Riversharks.  The Riversharks are a minor league baseball team that plays on the Riverfront in Camden. The Delaware River Port Authority graciously donated their box along with 25 tickets for the game.  It was a great evening!

Day 3

Eagles Game

On day three, 13 lucky youth along with four staff members attended a Philadelphia Eagles pre-season game. Hopeworks was a guest of Ron and Liz Jaworski.  Before the game, youth attended a B-B-Q held by the Jaworski's and then rooted the Eagles on to victory over the Bengal's! 

Norma Martinez and Mario Arriola Begin College While Tiana Davis Returns for 2nd Semester

On August 29, Norma, Mario and Tiana headed off to class at Camden County College.  Norma and Mario are pursuing degrees in business, Tiana in pre-nursing. Good luck!

Literacy Program Update

This summer has been an exciting time for the Literacy Program at Hopeworks. First, Hopeworks thanks the United Way for awarding a $40,000 grant for the continued development and maintenance of the Literacy Program. In August, the Literacy Program went multi-media as the youth at Hopeworks produced their own 15 minute radio segment, where they discussed many issues that affect Camden residents. Segments from the radio show can be found on www.lifenetradio.org. The radio show, which aired on August 31, was just one of many successes for the youth at Hopeworks. Mario Arriola was the winner of this year's Literacy IPOD raffle. Way to go Mario!

Carol Thompson Continues Study Of Hopeworks

Carol Thompson, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, continued her research at Hopeworks during the Summer Program. She continues to be particularly interested in how trainees develop new ways of thinking and learning along with new language practices as they adopt new roles within Hopeworks (such new roles include being newcomers, informal "mentors" for other trainees, trainers, and conference presenters.) Thus far Thompson's research indicates that roles, learning, and language practices are tightly linked in Hopeworks practices.

Scratch continues to make progress as Sade Coley, Angel Rodriguez, and Jovanni Hernandez continue to work with their South African counterparts.  Both groups have been working for approximately the same amount of time on a presentation about their community, and specifically, their group.  Soon they will exchange projects and edit each others work.  In order to complete this one year project, he group meets at least once a week, and uses the program Skype to communicate live via the internet.  The youth also use Scratch to build electronics devices such as joysticks and then use them for the animation that they have also created through the program.  We're excited to see what the group will do next!