Charlotte-area teens have a new innovative space to serve their technology needs.
North Carolina's first Best Buy Teen Tech Center opened Feb. 7 in the McCrorey Family YMCA at 3801 Beatties Ford Road. In addition to Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY) and YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Charlotte-based Atrium Health is a partner in the initiative.
The center allows youth to explore interests such as photography, augmented and virtual reality, 3D design and digital media, among other technology. It includes several activity stations designed for teens ages 13 to 18. The program is free to the community.
Additional amenities include a music studio and engineer booth, craft spaces, podcasting station and drawing tablets for animations. Teens also have access to career-training programs, internships, job opportunities and scholarships for post-secondary education. The 1,600-square-foot tech center can accommodate up to 80 teens at once.
"In teaming up with Best Buy and Atrium Health for this incredible technology center, we are able to offer teens who haven’t had access to these types of opportunities and experiences a new way to look at their futures," said Stan Law, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.
The center is part of the Best Buy Foundation program — which was created to prepare teens for college and careers. Best Buy's Teen Tech Center program was founded 10 years ago, and Charlotte was the 52nd location to join the nationwide network.
Andrea Wood, vice president of social impact at Best Buy, said the new Charlotte space is a spot where youth can experience limitless technology possibilities.
She added, "With the support of partners like the YMCA and Atrium Health, we are inspiring the next generation of youth and supporting them with resources to pursue their dreams."
Gene Woods, co-CEO at Advocate Aurora Health, of which Atrium Health is a part, echoes Wood and noted the Best Buy Teen Tech Center provides teens with career paths that may have been unattainable otherwise.
"I am proud of the role that Atrium Health is playing in this initiative, which will enrich the lives of Charlotte’s youth through hands-on mentorship and skill-based training using cutting-edge technology," he said.
The Teen Tech Center program was formed after Best Buy partnered with The Clubhouse Network, a global STEM after-school program. Through that partnership, Best Buy aims to open 100 new teen tech centers by 2025.
