The Youth Media Pathways Program is a two-year, twice-monthly mentorship and violence prevention initiative designed to serve at-risk youth ages 10–16 in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. The program provides hands-on training in photography and video storytelling, combined with mentorship, leadership development, and workforce readiness.
Participants engage in structured sessions where they learn camera operation, visual storytelling, and digital media skills while building confidence, communication, and positive peer relationships. The program operates in a safe, trauma-informed environment that promotes emotional well-being and constructive self-expression.
By removing barriers such as lack of access to equipment, transportation, and supportive spaces, the program ensures equitable participation. Through creative engagement and consistent mentorship, the Youth Media Pathways Program helps reduce risk factors associated with youth violence while empowering participants to develop skills, share their voices, and pursue positive futures.
