The South Street Youth Center (SSYC), which operates out of the South Street Apartments, a public housing development, has a new director who looks to bring his digital media experience to the organization.
“It is a great opportunity to work in the community,” said Corey Stallings about recently becoming SSYC’s director.
He said his previous experience includes working at the Holbrook High School, at the Boys and Girls Club in Dorchester and at Randolph Middle School. He worked at all three locations through a nonprofit program that focused on digital media, helping youths to make public service announcements and short movies and documentaries about the social issues that they are dealing with.
Stallings said he wants to bring that digital media experience to SSYC, teaching the youths, ranging from 8 to 18 years old, such skills as video programming and graphic design. He said he also wants to teach them marketing and business abilities so the youths could start their own businesses centered on digital media.
SSYC recently had a yard sale with a 50/50 raffle and car wash to help raise money for a trip to visit colleges, including in Connecticut and New York. Stallings said the organization, with the help of Friends of South Street, raised over $3,000, a grand more than they had expected.
“It was amazing,” he said.
Stallings said that like most nonprofits, the challenge his organization faces is trying to get the resources it needs. He said SSYC will continue to look to partner up with different schools and organizations while looking for a long-term funding stream.
Youths offering a car wash to raise money for the South Street Youth Center. (Courtesy Photo)
Corey Stallings, the new director of the South Street Youth Center. (Courtesy Photo)