Kids at the Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club on East Lake Drive in Oakhurst got a chance to show off their digital skills last month in front of Georgia U.S. Rep. John Lewis and representatives of Comcast and nonprofit One Economy, which have teamed up to provide the youngsters training in broadband technology.

On December 3, the youngsters got a chance to showcase what they have learned in the Comcast Digital Connectors program, a digital learning and service initiative that is teaching teens and young adults from diverse, disadvantaged backgrounds.  In addition to acquiring leadership and job skills, the program is aimed at enabling the young volunteers to put their knowledge to work in a wide range of community service activities.

The children have  produced  TV commercials, feature interviews, promotional videos and special content for new media consisting of an e-book of short stories and poems.  The showcase also highlighted their community projects, their newfound knowledge of computers and their creative skills as writers, producers, directors, editors, reporters and actors.

In the Digital Connectors programs, about 30 Atlanta students, all from diverse and low-income backgrounds, gather at the Jones Boys & Girls Club two evenings a week to learn digital literacy skills.  The young people volunteer their time at community-based organizations and even in their own homes to help improve digital literacy in Atlanta.

Additionally, they are mentored by local Comcast employees, who are helping educate the students about the possible future career choices in the broadband industry, help them to develop leadership skills and lend expertise.