project leader
Larry B
location
10 Children's Way, Suite
(Allegheny City Central)
latest update rss
No updates yet.

the project

Since co-locating our radio studios to the Children's Museum in 2004, our youth programs have expanded beyond our wildest dreams. Over 500 students annually visit our studios to share original writing, music, conversation and more. We've coached youth as they've created 50+ radio documentaries, five of which have won national awards. The Saturday Light Brigade (our flagship radio program) brings our Northside work to seven radio stations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and beyond. Three weekly podcast series showcasing immigrants, youth, and African American men from Pittsburgh are distributed worldwide. Ten full-time employees work with 3,000+ students annually at locations throughout greater Pittsburgh area. 

And we need to be doing more...and will be soon. But we need more studio space first. 

In 2019, SLB will triple our space for audio production, education, podcasting and broadcasting. We've raised nearly $500,000 from generous foundations and corporate donors to support the major construction. As this construction is completed, we need to simultaneously create a special flex studio -- a configurable and portable space for student breakout and recording sessions. The flex studio will allow us to increase capacity while the larger expansion project is underway and, once complete, will continue to serve as a portable space that can be used to support youth in collaboration with co-located non-profits including the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and Manchester Academic Charter School.

the steps

1. Complete specs, obtain final bids, and order new booth.

2. Order new audio control board and editing stations.

3. Install all equipment.

4. Begin piloting equipment during our annual Mother's and Father's Day cardmaking project

5. Make needed modifications and have in use for Summer 2019 teen media camps
 

 

why we're doing it

Every year, SLB provides approximately 3,000 youth from under-resourced schools and neighborhoods with training and skills needed to create podcasts, documentaries, commentaries, oral histories and more. Our methods bring together caring mentors, top-notch equipment and time-tested methods to help youth realize that their voice matters and -- by extension -- they themselves matter. Our approach also sharpens reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in accordance with academica standards while also reinforcing 21st century workforce and college-readiness skills such as data evaluation, working as part of a team, digital storytelling, and deadline compliance.

We built our current studios in 2004. Over the past 14+ years, demand has increased as a result of the successful projects described above as well as the phenomenal growth in podcasting. To meet this growth and enhance availability of SLB resources and staff to Northside youth, SLB recently revised its strategic plan and has committed to a major studio expansion. In addition to doubling studio space and providing better student learning areas, we'll be expanding hours to include afternoons and evenings as well as weekends, thus being open and available at times that are most convenient for youth.

Foundations and corporate supporters have already contributed $480,000 to support the permanent studio and classroom structures we're building to meet this need. In addition to this investment, we also need to create one or more flex studios to provide a configurable space for student breakout and recording sessions. Flex studios are important as they will allow us to increase capacity while the larger expansion project is underway. They aslo will ultimately serve as a portable space that can be used to support youth in collaboration with co-located non-profits including the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and Manchester Academic Charter School.

budget

Disbursed Budget 3.20.19:
- Soundproof production booth with furniture ($15,505.83)
- Audio control board tied to SLB network ($600)
- Editing stations tied to SLB network ($900)
- Height adjustible mic stands and mics ($250)
- Sportscaster-type headset mics to support specialized needs ($250)
- *TOTAL = $17,505.83*


TOTAL RAISED = $18,066.00
less ioby Platform Fee $35.00
less ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $525.17
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = $17,505.83
 
Original Budget:
  • Soundproof production booth with furniture ($17,500)
  • Audio control board tied to SLB network ($1,000)
  • Editing stations tied to SLB network ($1,000)
  • Height adjustible mic stands and mics ($250)
  • Sportscaster-type headset mics to support specialized needs ($250)


Project Subtotal =  $20,000
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $600
Total to raise on ioby = $20,635

 

updates

Sorry, but this project doesn't have any updates yet.

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Anonymous
  • Alg. City Historic Gallery
  • Bill Gandy
  • Anonymous
  • Russ Herbster
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Joe Burke
  • Gerard L. Rohlf
  • Charlie from Fredericksburg
  • CVN
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • In memory of Bill Lucker
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Bonny Kwolek and Jeff Wagner
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Peter F.
  • Anonymous
  • The Rai Family
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Michael Mykita
  • SNAPPIN' BUG MUSIC
  • Ken and Linda Krynski
  • Romey F.
  • Irma Tani
  • Anonymous
  • William T K.
  • Christopher J.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Larry Franklin
  • Kimberly D
  • Mike Melnyk
  • Cindy Harris
  • Kris Charny
  • Barb
  • Norton G.
  • Donna Little
  • Kelsey E Waros
  • David and Louise Cannon
  • The Farina Foundation
  • Mary Ruth A.
  • Rick and Amy Fogle
  • Anonymous
  • Flam Family
  • WAYNE ANTHONY JONES
  • alex stanton
  • Anonymous
  • Wayno
  • Anonymous
  • Darlene Bigler & Gary Lefebvre
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous