LEWISTON – The founders of Platform Shoes Forum, a nonprofit organization that creates innovative technology programs to enhance the lives of underserved youth and to strengthen community building, has made arrangements with the YWCA USA to organize Zoey’s Room Clubs in local YWCAs across the country.
Zoey’s Room is an interactive Web site for middle school girls to sustain their interest in math, science and technology.
According to numerous studies, girls between the ages of 10 to 14 start to lose interest in the skills of math, science and technology before entering high school. Evidence that this has become a national crisis continues to grow as girls avoid career fields using traditionally male “hard skills.”
As girls turn away from potentially high-paying careers, Zoey’s Room strives to re-engage them with a culturally savvy, girl-friendly, cool tech community. Those interested in learning more about Zoey’s Room or the Platform Shoe Forum can visit www.platformshoes.org and www.zoeysroom.com.
The libraries in Lewiston and Auburn have agreed to participate with the YWCA to provide access to computers for the girls to utilize in an after-school program. Both libraries have also agreed to provide traditional library and research assistance.
“One of the terrific ways that the libraries can benefit the richness of this program is to beef up their collections along the lines of the girls’ interests,” said Anne Craigs, executive director of the YWCA.
The organizational committee working to establish the new program for middle school girls is planning an informational meeting for parents and interested volunteers to learn more about the club at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at the YWCA, 130 East Ave.
“What we really need at this time are two or three volunteers from the community who would be interested in organizing this effort,” said Craigs. “We are hoping there are parents who want to work with the girls understanding that they have the support of both the libraries and the YWCA.”
No preregistration is required to attend the meeting. For more information about the YWCA, call 795-4050 or visit www.ywcamaine.org.
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