Open Media Foundation

TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL PRODUCTION SERVICES AND STUDIO SPACE FOR A SERIES OF OPEN MIC PERFORMANCES AND ARTS ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.

EACH YEAR, THE OPEN MEDIA FOUNDATION SERVES THOUSANDS OF DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS, DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY MEDIA PROGRAMS, AND INDIRECTLY THROUGH OUR WORK WITH PARTNER NONPROFITS. LAST YEAR, WITH THE SUPPORT OF TWO FULL-TIME VISTA MEMBERS THROUGH CNCS, WE EMBARKED ON A NEW PROGRAM, AIMING TO ADD A NEW PROGRAM THAT CONNECTS THE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE WITH SUPPORT IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT IN THE FIELD OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS. THOUGH THIS INDUSTRY IS NOT A HUGE SECTOR OF THE LABOR FORCE, THE IMPLICATIONS OF EXPANDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN OUR MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SPHERE IS HUGE. OUR PROCESS STARTED WITH A USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND RESEARCH PHASE, WITH TWO VISTAS RESEARCHING THE EXISTING LANDSCAPE AND IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS OF JOBSEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS. WE?RE NOW MOVING INTO ESTABLISHING A CAREER RESOURCES, PATHWAYS, AND MENTORSHIP DATABASE FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING WORK IN MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS. WE?RE APPLYING TO CONTINUE THIS 3-YEAR PROGRAM TO COORDINATE PARTNERS AND TO ESTABLISH MENTORING AND SUPPORT EFFORTS TO SERVE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS WITH A ROADMAP AND HANDS-ON SUPPORT TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS DYNAMIC FIELD.