Apple wants to offer opportunities to kids in London who are at risk of being caught up in gang life.
In partnership with City Hall, its new “Made in LDN” program will offer youths free coding, music-making and movie-creating workshops.
These bi-weekly sessions will take place at Apple Stores. It is one of several community-minded programs selected by the London Mayor’s Young Londoners Fund. Other community groups working as part of the program include Art Against Knives, which runs community art projects, and Croydon’s City Listeners, which teaches life skills.
“I am determined to do everything I can to provide positive opportunities for young people this summer,” said London mayor Sadiq Khan. “That’s why I am pleased to be working with Apple on a series of programs to help young people develop the skills they need to get the jobs of tomorrow, while also ensuring they have something constructive and safe to do during the summer holidays.”
Wendy Beckman, Apple head of retail for Europe, said that Apple’s initiative is designed to help people “unlock new skills and create a platform to amplify London’s creative voice.”
It comes at a time when crime in London, much of it gang-related, is on the rise. Last year, murders in the UK’s capital city hit 132, the highest in a decade. Already this year there have been upward of 56 murders. Many of these have involved stabbings.
Today at Apple
The “Made in LDN” program is part of Apple’s “Today at Apple” initiative. These free classes take place at Apple Stores around the world.
However, Apple has also expanded the program to communities in need. For example, earlier this year, Apple partnered with California nonprofit Dream Corps to help men and women from “underrepresented backgrounds [to] find success in the tech sector.”
Hopefully, Apple will roll out similar programs to “Made in LDN” elsewhere in the world. After all, there are plenty of cities that would benefit from such workshops.
“Made in LDN” is open to young people living in London. Interested parties can register for the in-store sessions starting July 31.
Source: Standard
