TOPEKA (KSNT) – A local after-school program is showing off a major makeover. The Boys and Girls Club in Southeast Topeka unveiled its new technology lab on Tuesday.
The lab is one of just 10 across the country, and teens who spend their evenings here after school tell 27 News they couldn’t be more excited.
The Boys and Girls Club of Topeka cut the ribbon today on its new state-of-the-art Cox Innovation Lab. It’s packed with all the latest technology teens need to learn, made possible by a $25,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation.
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“We refresh this innovation lab made of state-of-the-art modern, lots of technology to help these students learn and create, and build new digital skills for the future,” said Rachel Aja, Kansas Market Vice President for Cox Communications. “We really believe that if they can learn the technological skills, doing something that interests them, that will set them up for success in the future. “
Boys and Girls Clubs have long offered youth a safe space to grow and be themselves. By providing the educational tools they might not have access to at home.
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“These kids all come from different backgrounds,” said Isaiah DeClerk, Director of Teen Services at the Southeast Topeka post. “They all go through different trials and tribulations through life. And the teen center here kind of gives them a safe space to be themselves. That’s kind of what I preach here at the teen center, is trying to give them a space to be themselves without any kind of judgment. This Cox Innovation Lab is going to kind of help them all kind of mingle and mesh a little bit better.”
And the innovation center isn’t just for homework. Teens now have access to e-sports, podcasting, entrepreneurship, crafting, and so much more.
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“So many awesome new things in here that we’ve never had,” said Wellington Hooper, one of the teens at the post. “Because usually it’s just a couple of games here, then it was just done. But, having a whole room just for all of this is just special.”
The teen center is open weeknights until six. If you’re interested in getting your kids involved by enrolling at their website, or by calling (785) 234-5601.
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