Boys & Girls Club Opens New Tech Center: See Pics

The opened its much-anticipated at its Main Branch building (1238 Lincoln Blvd.) on Wednesday. The cutting-edge technology center, funded by Microsoft, features new software, computer training and development of a digital-literacy curriculum.

SMBGC CEO Aaron Young, Santa Monica Mayor and Tyler Bryson—general manager of Enterprise and Partners Group in Microsoft's Southwest District—were on hand for the center's grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also at the event, kids from the club gave presentations, and an open house was held.

The tech center features an Instructional Zone, where kids can learn tech fundamentals in a traditional lab setting; and an Exploratory Zone, where they can work on team projects.

In addition to new software such as Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010, the tech center features space for creative and collaborative work. Its curriculum includes robotics programming, game development, Web design tenets, graphic design techniques, digital film editing and Digital Arts Suite-assisted digital music composition.

The center is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Club Tech program, which was incepted in 2000 following a $100 million donation from the computer giant. Almost 1 million children across the globe are currently involved with the program.

“When Club Tech was launched in 2000, the vision was to help level the virtual playing field by providing disadvantaged youth with the technology resources and skills to help them perform better in school and, eventually, the workplace,” Young said in a statement.

He added that, at the SMBGC, kids learn everything from routine word processing to designing Web sites and restoring computers.

“Today’s kids are using technology in new ways not dreamed of even 10 years ago when we first launched Club Tech,” Bryson added. “To engage kids coming into the Clubs, the experience must stay relevant, compelling and fun.”

Bloom said he admires the SMBGC's accomplishments.

“The impact this organization has on our community is impressive,” he said in a statement. “But they can’t do it without the support of organizations like Microsoft. ... We are grateful for the contributions both organizations have made to our community.”