Words | Voices | Stories

2023 marks our 17th year of providing media-related programming to students on Chicago’s west side.

GLOBAL PARTNERS PROJECT

Bringing the world together.

WMP's Global Partners Project (GPP) is a six-week, cross-cultural initiative that connects youth and young adults (ages 15-30) from different regions of the world to discuss a variety of issues relating to culture and mass media.

Our programs encourage youth to:

• Recognize, understand, and appreciate the perspectives and world views of others.

• Develop storytelling and leadership skills.

• Connect and form new relationships with peers from around the world.

• Reflect on their roles as global citizens and change makers in their communities.

Learn More

COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

Our College and Career Readiness program involves a video series that takes a look into many career opportunities available with the media industry. We combine that with hands-on instruction and small group training that allows participants to gain much needed exposure to various career paths.

OUR MISSION:

To expose students and area residents to networks, opportunities and pathways in media-related fields. We help participants develop media/tech related interests and to utilize their words, voices and skill-set to tell their own stories for individual and community transformation.

What We Do

IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

Our programs help Westside students develop a voice on the many issues impacting them and their neighborhoods, which leads to more civic awareness and engagement in our youth.

AFTER-SCHOOL & WEEKEND MASTER CLASSES

Our newly-renovated workspace in the Austin community serves as a hub where youth and young adults come to learn and develop a deeper interest in media creation as well as media and technology-related careers.

WE SUPPORT S.T.E.A.M.

All our youth centered programs are designed to highlight and cultivate interest in STEAM related careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math)

Why We Do It

INCREASE STUDENT VOICE &
FOSTER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Over the past three years, our efforts have been concentrated in West Garfield Park. Most of the students living in this community have to navigate generational opportunity gaps and the resulting economic inequities.

Here are some stats about West Garfield to put it in perspective:

• 95% African-American population

• 44% under the age of 25
• 60% of children live in poverty - 27% city-wide.
• 28% of adults lack a high school diploma - 15% city-wide
• 5% of adults have obtained a college degree - 39% city-wide.

We know that these Westside residents matter - their words, voices, and stories matter. We also know that those words, voices, and stories are tools for change.

CHECK OUT OUR PROGRAMS