Creative Synthesis

The Digital Clubhouse Network grew out of a NASA-sponsored project exploring ways in which digital technology can be used to strengthen communities.  The nonprofit group relies on two community incubators–one in San Jose and the second in New York–to promote access to new technology and forge better relationships between generations through the sharing of stories and life histories.

Emerging from a series of focus groups and inter-generational education programs, the Network quickly found that explorations of personal experience provide the best medium for encouraging collaboration between generations and community groups.  A set of programs evolved from this core idea, in which youths use their skills to record interviews and create cultural history projects and older participants share their stories, with the two groups learning from each other in turn.  So far, the Digital Clubhouse Network has explored Latino and African-American community life, the experiences of veterans, and the nature of healing and bereavement through a series of videos and multimedia projects.  

The Clubhouse system helps members use their skills to meet community needs.  In order to participate, the Network asks members to spend time helping others:  volunteering to work with the elderly, mentoring at-risk youths, or helping underprivileged groups learn computer skills.  By asking participants to “pay dues” in this fashion, the two clubhouses further integrate their model of learning into the community and increase opportunities for others.