WHAT WE'VE DONE:
We've spoke with the board of the Brooklyn Youth Association who has voted to endorse this initiative.
We've spoken to the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation.
We have spoken to an individual who is looking for space himself and he has made a very tentative offer of real space in the evenings when his business will be closed. Information available upon request.
We are in the process of scheduling a meeting with The Lamp.
INITIAL OUTLINE OF SCHEDULE:
These are the components we are currently working on in order to make this a reality:
1) An association with the Brooklyn Youth Association (BYA) for oversight of the program and offer leadership role models. The BYA has voted to endorse this project and is doing further reviews to understand what role it might play in it's development.
2) An association with local leaders and other business programs, including The LAMP (Multimedia Program for Youths).
3) Seek support of Local, State and Federal Political leaders.
4) Development of a budget. Initial estimates are roughly $72,000/yr average for 5 years with a good portion allotted for startup costs (renovation, computer hard/software, installation, advertising, etc) which includes $42,000/yr rent and $30,000/yr for maintenance, programs, oversight and on-site supervision. There is the possibility that rent will be significantly reduced as people have already made suggestions for spaces that are available.
5) Development of Architectural Plans and visualizations with help from NJBArchitects and The Drawing Studio at 60% reduction of cost.
6) Development of a Program on how everything would function, including accounting, maintenance of all components, leadership, day to day activities, interaction with young adults and how to help them gain computer literacy and personal confidence.
7) The above will help us gain individual support of well know individual(s) (spokes person sponsorship to help us gain our financial support) and then individual and/or corporate financial sponsorship.
8) With financial sponsorship, we will implement the initiative. |
WHY?
My wife and daughter went running for their lives from a Brooklyn Public Park when shots rang out April 2008. There is an obvious need for this and not just because my particular family was affected by a senseless acts of violence but because we all have to ask ourselves, do we really want to be confronted in the middle of the day or night by someone who 'just doesn't care about life?" Do you want anyone of your own family members to be confronted by someone like this, when you know you could of done something?
We, as a civilized society seem to just stop our interaction with young adults leaving them to flounder. I'm not sure if it's because we are afraid of them and their potentially bad judgement and lack of experience in terms of consequences or if it is our way of allowing them to 'sink or swim' in the adult world by giving them the opportunity to make their own way.
As adults, we more fully understand our role within society. This is because we are constantly learning. These young adults are also learning and more so than any other age, we need to help them with the transition to adulthood.
An example of the experience a youth might have:
Youth: "Wow, this is incredible."
Mentor: "Yes it is, pretty awesome graphics, don't you think?"
Youth: "Definitely"
Mentor: "Maybe we should make our own map." (Maps are scenes within a game, like a small village).
Youth: "We can do that?"
Mentor: "Yes, lets download the free tools and start mapping... what do you think it should look like?" |
GOALS:
We have a lot of goals, but they are intertwined to produce only one result, a young adult who can stand on their own two feet and face the world with confidence, or, at least with courage.
To location each Gaming Cafe near troubled areas within the city as defined by Police Maps. Example HERE is the 76th Precienct map for Brooklyn, NY which shows 7 major types of crimes represented by each map (enlarge).
To make it free or very affordable to those who can't pay with an exchange of duties for gaming.
To create an atmosphere of fun with a taste of how disipline and drive can yield satisfaction in one's work through positive encouragement.
To be the birth of many centers around the country.
To have full price admission to help fund and sustain this project from those who can afford it.
To be non-profit.
To get neighborhood community groups involved to help with oversight or different aspects of the initiative.
To seek professionals who are gamers to interact at only the HUNTrBEAN Video Gaming Cafes to create 'connections' between different ages and backgrounds fullfilling our Mentor aspect of the initiative.
To decorate the interiors to not only invigorate excitement and belonging, but to encourage thought towards future career choices with posters from different professions.
To encourage positive social behavior.
To give young adults a second home in the evenings and on weekends.
To discourage loitering or bad behaviors through a system of 'kicks' and 'bans' that reinforce the rules of conduct.
To provide exposure to many software programs like PhotoShop, iMovie, ImageReady, Videography, Word Processing (basic typing will be a prerequisite to gaming as well as cleaning duties), virus protection and other utilities programs, etc.
To become involved in HackHunters.com as a HunterBean member. |
