Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre to offer community members skills
development through access to technology and education
MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 3 /CNW/ - Together with Toronto Mayor David Miller,
Microsoft Canada today launched the Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre in Jamestown
- one of 13 priority neighbourhood areas identified by the City of Toronto for
focused support and investment. The Centre will provide free access to
state-of-the-art technology including digital arts and Microsoft curricula to
introduce Jamestown and Rexdale youth to potential careers in new media while
providing computer literacy skills. The Centre was made possible through joint
collaboration with community partners and by a Microsoft Community Technology
Skills (CTS) grant which includes a cash donation, software, hardware and
technical support valued at over $400,000 CDN.
"I applaud Microsoft Canada and our partners for their commitment to
Toronto's youth to equip them with essential skills that will ensure their
future success," says Mayor David Miller. "The Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre
is another example of the great things that we can achieve when we work
together - community, government and private sector partners - to support our
youth. The spirit of collaboration and partnership to create initiatives like
this is the key to ensuring the success of Toronto and all of its residents."
Partners for the Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre include the Humber College
Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, The Humber Students' Federation,
Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and the YMCA of Greater Toronto. Humber and
the YMCA were instrumental in providing their expertise and support. The TCHC
has contributed $20,000 CDN while the Humber Students' Federation has
committed $150,000 CDN and volunteer support over a three year period.
"Microsoft Canada is thrilled to partner with the Mayor and his team to
open the Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre," says Phil Sorgen, President,
Microsoft Canada. "Technology can play a very important role in transforming
people's lives and the communities they live in. The Rexdale Pro Tech Media
Centre will provide community residents with access to the exciting world of
digital arts while also providing basic computer literacy skills that are
essential to compete in today's job market and function in a digital world."
The Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre will introduce youth aged 14 to 25 to
the world of digital art through multi-media based software and curricula.
Courses will evolve to meet students' needs but the Centre will begin by
offering introductory courses in web page design and digital media including
digital photography, digital audio, and digital video. Registration for all
programs is free of charge and students can enroll in as many programs as they
like. The Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre is located at 1620 Albion Road in
Jamestown.
Microsoft's CTS grants are awarded to community organizations seeking to
foster digital inclusion by providing access to the latest computer
technologies and training to students and lifelong learners allowing them to
achieve their fullest potential.
Through the CTS program, Microsoft is working to help a quarter-billion
people around the world gain access to the technology, learning curriculum and
skills training necessary to support employability and foster economic
development in communities where they live. In Canada, over $2 million has
been given to the Community Technology Skills program since 2004.
Organizations that have received grants in Canada include the Boys and Girls
Clubs of Canada, Toronto's Frontier College's Beat the Street Program,
Toronto's Dixon Hall, the Manitoba E-Association, the LOCUS project in
Vancouver and JobStart in Toronto.
The Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre Project is part of Toronto's Community
Safety Plan, which balances enforcement with prevention, invests in youth,
builds on strengths in neighbourhoods and builds partnerships to increase
opportunities in priority communities. This includes: Neighbourhood Action &
City investment, Youth Opportunities, Crisis Response and Youth Justice
Initiatives.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of
Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT"), the worldwide leader in software,
services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing.
Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local
support services in both French and English. Microsoft Canada is headquartered
in Mississauga, Ontario with MSN.CA offices located in Toronto and eight
regional offices across the country. The company supports local communities
across Canada by creating innovative technology and partnerships that help
people realize their full potential.
(C)2007 Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft is either a registered trademark
or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
members of the media/
For further information: Kieran Lawler, Media Profile, (416) 342-1823,
kieran@mediaprofile.com
