University News
WIU Links with Prime
July 25, 2002
MACOMB, IL -- Forget about Hollywood. The next Steven Spielberg may come out of Macomb, Illinois.
As a part of the summer PRIME (Pride and Responsibility In My Environment) program, 50 Macomb children, ranging in age from 8 to 17, are learning movie-making techniques on the campus of Western Illinois University. Volunteers from Western's Center for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT) are teaching the PRIME youth how to make documentaries using iMovie and other technologies in CAIT's state-of-the-art lab facilities.
Dawn Sweet, interactive multimedia (IMM) lab manager for CAIT, has helped the children work on their documentaries in the CAIT lab.
"They have learned how to use digital cameras, programs like KidPix and other technologies such as iMovie," Sweet said. "At the end of the program, the kids will have a movie to share with their family, as well as to promote PRIME. I think they've had a lot of fun and have learned some exciting technology."
CAIT offers its services and facilities free of charge to the PRIME program. This is the second year that the WIU division has been involved with the program.
"We are proud to be a part of PRIME. Projects like this aren't only a part of CAIT's mission, but an indication of the level of commitment CAIT staff have to our mission," said Michael Dickson, CAIT director. "All CAIT staff participating in the PRIME program are doing so as volunteers. Equity and opportunity is not just a slogan or a mission statement but something CAIT staff truly believe in and support with their time and talent."
PRIME was founded in 1995 by Macomb residents Allen Henderson and Aaron Thorpe. According to Belinda Carr, a member of the PRIME executive board and director of WIU's Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, the program teaches youth to take responsibility in their environment rather than letting their environment control them.
"PRIME teaches these children to take pride in themselves," Carr explained. "Through the program's three-fold approach -- community service, education and recreation -- the youth learn to take an active role in the betterment of their community and are given access to new and exciting activities."
PRIME formerly operated on nine Saturdays from June until August; however, Carr added that beginning this fall, PRIME will become a year-round program. Any Macomb child, ages 8 to 18, is eligible to participate. The participants meet on Saturdays at 8 a.m. for a two-hour community service commitment, such as visiting local nursing homes; then move on to the educational component, which is the CAIT experience, from 10 a.m.-noon; and finally participate in such recreational opportunities as golf, bowling or other activities from 1-3 p.m. Most of the recreational activities are also usually hosted by various WIU entities such as University Union Bowling and Billiards and the Mussatto Golf Course.
"Western has been involved since our beginning," Carr said. "We are funded only by donations and in-kind gifts, so the University's involvement, along with several other community businesses and agencies, is integral to our success."
For more information, contact PRIME Director Byron Oden-Shabazz at 309/833-3104. For more information on CAIT's volunteer activities, contact Sweet at 309/298-3076.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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