With the growing prevalence of technology and access to it from a young age, there’s a genuine concern among parents about how children are using technology. However, there are also many ways technology can help kids explore their creative side.
The Durango Hills YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Southern Nevada, has partnered with Dreamr to create the Dreamr Lab, a space in which kids and teens can use technology and social media to make their dreams a reality.
“The Dreamr Lab is a creative space that provides youth with the tools they need to film YouTube, TikTok and other videos, and then edit them using Adobe software,” said Breezy Bolden, the COO of the Southern Nevada Y.
Filled with top-of-the-line computers, cameras and software, the Dreamr Lab allows kids to pursue any interest they might have in content creation, video and audio editing and much more.
“The space is also equipped to make dreams of becoming a musical artist come alive, whether that be creating music or beats, recording a song in our sound booth or learning to mix the song after recording,” said Bolden.
Dreamr will also help provide education for youth on technology and content creation, according to Bolden. “In partnership with Dreamr, we will host a variety of classes that include coding, film, music recording, how to use installed software and more,” she said.
Dreamr is a platform that allows users to build a unique social experience and get support based on the dreams they want to achieve. Because the Southern Nevada Y is always looking for innovative ways to engage its youth population, a partnership with Dreamr was the perfect fit.
In fact, because the project felt like such a natural fit, the Dreamr Lab had its grand opening less than a week after Bolden met with Charlie Jabaley of the Dream Machine Tour and Chris Adams, the co-founder and CEO of Dreamr. “In the four days after we met, we raised $25,000 and unveiled The Dreamr Lab,” she shared.
Thanks to support from the community, the Dreamr Lab opened in late August and is now a key component of the Durango Hills Y’s youth engagement efforts.
“The Dreamr Lab is designed to provide youth with the opportunity to explore their dreams,” said Bolden. “Through access to technology and supportive adults to help them navigate making their dreams a reality, we are expecting youth in our community to realize their full potential at the Y.”
