Play It Forward to keep our youth paid and learning (online) this summer

Now is a time to innovate, create, and (in video lingo) “press play” to advance towards what’s next. It’s not a time to pause. Wide Angle’s youth, who rely on their hourly wages and stipends, aren’t bored at home - they’re activated and engaged. In the face of COVID-19, we have developed and adapted programs that prioritize paid media training and education for our high school students and apprentices. Over the past 8 weeks, they have planned a VIProm for 50+ students, facilitated conversations on Baltimore’s recovery with national celebrities through Baltimore Homecoming, partnered with the Baltimore City Health Department to create design collateral promoting safe social distancing, and edited projects for 8 video and design clients. COVID-19 has shut down the economy, but it hasn’t slowed down our participants or our programs.

Our high school students and apprentices are focused on their next step. They’re ready to apply their creativity by uplifting other community organizations through our Build Your Brand initiative, and they’re eager to refine their resumes, expand their portfolios and broaden their educational experiences. Will you help us to keep their momentum going?

We remain committed to youth employment and we’re 74% of the way to our summer youth salary goal. But we need your help to raise $15,800 so we can pay 17 young people wages from May-August. As virtual workers and program participants, our youth will hone 21st Century skills through meaningful employment - gaining experiences that will help sustain them now and build a foundation to advance their career in a post-Covid-19 economy.

Your generous Play It Forward gift of $24, $48, or $120 will go directly towards paying a young person, so they have the continued resources and needed skills to be successful in a new tomorrow. Play, don’t pause, and see what your gift today can support:

Giving Levels:

• $24 - 2 hours wages for a Video or Design apprentice
• $48 - 4 hours wages for Video or Design apprentice
• $96 - 8 hour workday for a Video or Design apprentice
• $250 - 2 days wages for Full Time apprentice
• $625 1 weeks wages for Full Time apprentice
• $1,500 - 2 months wages for an Assistant Producer (60 hours)