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By Lori Pederson
A DYNAMIC film-oriented program is helping ‘at risk’ youth gain confidence and practical skills, as well as a sense of community.
Kaleidoscope is an initiative of the Mennonite Central Committee’s Employment and Community Development program; it is funded by the federal
government.
The students learn digital film production, and life skills that will help them – both in their personal lives, and in any type of work.
The program targets youth between the ages of 15 to 30 – who are experiencing barriers to employment, and are often feeling disconnected
from society. The students are paid $8 per hour for the 16-week program, based on 30 hours per
week.
One of Kaleidoscope’s youth career coaches, Donna Ross, described the program as a “microcosm of the world of work.” Students are given technical and computer training, but also learn
administrative and organizational skills; and working as part of a team helps
them develop people skills.
While they are given freedom to express their “creative voice,” Ross said the staff members encourage them “to produce films that have substance, value, meaning – and a life outside of Kaleidoscope.” However, she emphasized that it’s really about “the process, not the product,” since the youth themselves are the priority of the program.
Heather Hopkins, manager of the Kaleidoscope program in Richmond, explained that
the program is “all about confidence and possibilities.” She said career coaches are there for guidance and support, while helping the
students to take the lead.
Each Kaleidoscope cycle produces four films. There are three small group projects, which are documentaries with a community
service theme; and the key project, a short feature, is produced collectively
by the entire team.
Semi-retired pastor Ian Grant was a volunteer actor in a feature entitled Between the Lines. He observed: “What’s important is what the students are learning as persons.”
He said he was amazed to watch these young people quickly learn how to work as a
team with a common goal – and, in doing so, start to develop friendships.
While some Kaleidoscope graduates decide to keep pursuing education, others look
for jobs after graduating – with resumes that highlight their newly-learned skills.
Frederico Verzosa graduated from Kaleidoscope in 2007. An immigrant from the
Philippines, he told BCCN Kaleidoscope was his first job in Canada.
After describing the program as a “blessing,” Verzosa explained: “I got to learn more about myself, and see what my limitations were – and how to work around them. God showed me I can really do anything. I felt like
I was let out of a box. Kaleidoscope helped me settle into Canada. I walked in
to make a film, and I ended up making friends.”
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Now employed in the food industry, Verzosa is writing a movie script, and doing
occasional film editing work.
Shannen McGreevy, age 27, graduated from Kaleidoscope just under a year ago. She
described her fellow classmates as “youth who have had a tough life,” and said the program “really teaches you to work as a team, and helps you with patience – as not everyone has the same personality.”
McGreevy was heavily involved in making a short documentary called Children at War, about bullying and violence in high schools.
She wrote the script, narrated, acted, directed and edited. While her passion is
acting, McGreevy also feels strongly about using film to express truths.
Since Kaleidoscope, she has worked as an actor and a makeup artist. For a
contest, she also produced a 30 second commercial. She said that, without
Kaleidoscope, “I would never have had the confidence, nor would I have known how to make my own
projects.”
While she wants to be employed in the film industry, and her initial goal was to
learn all aspects of film making, she emphasized the program is “beneficial for everyone, no matter what your circumstances.”
Films produced by Kaleidoscope students can be viewed at kaleidoscopefilms.ca.
The next start date is December 7.
November 2009
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