Virtue Foundation’s Digital Storytelling Initiative helps students make a difference in their Hunts Point, N.Y. communities.

The Hunts Point Alliance for Children collaborated with seventh and eighth graders at MS 424 and Saint Ignatius middle schools to complete the year-long Virtue Foundation Digital Storytelling Initiative that examines how students can impact their communities. During the year, the students participated in digital storytelling workshops and learned about philanthropy, community service and civic responsibility. Students used computers, cameras, and professional editing software donated to the schools by Virtue Foundation to document their feelings about neighborhood issues and their work to make a positive change.

Born in Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina, the Virtue Foundation Digital Storytelling Initiative is designed to allow students to take advantage of our boundless digital world and encourage connections around meaningful topics in a personal way. Children are given the opportunity to engage with 21st century technology to tell their own stories of community service and the impact of giving back.

This year, students have built on the ideas that the students discussed in last year’s project. Students explored issues involving stray cats and dogs, negative graffiti messages and the impact of “tagging” and how young adults can be involved in protecting the environment. Students documented their impressions as they raised money for a local ASPCA shelter, created tree guards to protect the trees in the neighborhood and worked to design and create a positive message through a mural at the entrance of the Hunts Point Middle School (MS 424).