East Brooklyn’s Youth Design Center Awarded a $350K Red Nose Day Grant

[BROOKLYN, New York] – April 27, 2022 - Comcast and The Red Nose Day Fund have awarded the Youth Design Center $350,000 to invest in design and tech training and its Creative Apprenticeship Program (CAP). This grant will allow the Youth Design Center to expand the number of CAP sessions done within the year. The increased number of sessions will allow the Youth Design Center to have a laser-sharp focus on design and tech education, college prep, vocational training, economic opportunity, and youth leadership development. 

The Red Nose Day Fund, created by Comic Relief US., is a campaign to end the cycle of child poverty, one nose at a time. Through the power of entertainment, Red Nose Day raises money and awareness to ensure children who need help the most are safe, healthy, educated, and empowered in America and around the world. Since 2015, Red Nose Day has raised more than $275 million and has positively impacted over 30 million children.

“The youth in our community are eager to prepare themselves for the future of work bolstered by creativity and entrepreneurship,” said Quardean Lewis-Allen, Founder and Executive Director of Youth Design Center. “Our partnership with Comic Relief US and Comcast gives agency to the motivated youth we serve to amplify their talents for economic mobility.”

“We are thrilled to support the critical work of the Youth Design Center through The Red Nose Day Fund,” said Alison Moore, CEO, of Comic Relief US. “Empowering youth is a key focus for Comic Relief US, and the Youth Design Center programs expand economic opportunities for low-income youth, helping them change their lives and communities.”

Youth Design Center will use this investment to expand this year’s number of CAP sessions from four to six and provide participants exposure to technology and design careers. Doing so will reduce gray areas in creative and technical skills, help youth hone in on design skills regardless of prior experience, and assist alumni with educational and employment opportunities within six months of graduating from the program. 

Creative Apprentice Program participants are between the ages of 14 and 24 who are at risk for disconnection or disconnected—neither in work nor in school—including those who reside in low-income homes or have a criminal record. Youth Design Center’s mission is to increase racial diversity in design and technology professions and disrupt cyclical poverty and youth unemployment. 

For More Information visit- Comic Relief- Red Nose Day