This week we’re featuring updates from the community organisations and projects that the Readings Foundation supported in 2009.

Today we’re hearing from Colleen Duggan of the Fitzroy Learning Network, which received an $8,000 grant for the organisation’s computer clubhouse.

The Fitzroy Computer Clubhouse provides a creative and safe after-school learning environment where over 150 young people aged 10-18 years from refugee, migrant and low socio-economic backgrounds work with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence in themselves through the use of technology.

The Fitzroy Computer Clubhouse is one of two Clubhouses in Australia and is part of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network – a project between the Museum of Science and the Media Lab at MIT. Today the Computer Clubhouse is an international community of over 100 clubhouses in 21 different countries.

By providing these young people with access to high-end technology the Fitzroy Computer Clubhouse complements learning and helps young people develop skills for the 21st Century, find pathways to success, and build a commitment to community service.

Members create and tell stories using a myriad of mediums. On an average day you may come in to see some young people filming using green screen, another member working on a robot, and a group of young people working on their vocal harmonies in the music studio accompanied by an adult mentor on the keyboard. Thanks to the generous support of the Reading Foundation, we will be able to continue to support the members as they follow their passions, by updating the music studio to make it a safe and creative space for all.