Children and Youth

SBC United Way Supports BenitoLink’s Millennial News Producer Program

BenitoLink, San Benito County’s nonprofit news, is one of 25 lucky grant recipients recently announced by the United Way of San Benito County.
Mary Damm, representing United Way of San Benito County presents BenitoLink executive director with a check for Millennial Producer Program.
Mary Damm, representing United Way of San Benito County presents BenitoLink executive director with a check for Millennial Producer Program.

 

Benitolink is the recipient of $1,000 2017 United Way “Community Investment” grant for its Millennial News Producer program which helps youth and young adults develop professional skills while working for BenitoLink. “We really enjoy working with these upcoming professionals. They bring in great ideas and a fresh approach to community news. We help them build a strong portfolio and get them published,” said BenitoLink board member, Lois Locci. 

Benitolink has been developing a Millennial skill-building program over the last year. The idea is to help young adults and early professionals get some work experience and build up their portfolios. At the same time, BenitoLink benefits from their tech savy and hearing youthful perspectives. Three young adults have been able to benefit from this program already, one as a graphic artist and writer, another as a reporter and a videographer/photographer. 

Lois Locci, with the BenitoLink Board invites students or youth from all regions of the county to contact the news website to discuss the application process. Graphic Arts, research, writing, interviewing and photography are just a few of the skills that can be put to use by being involved in BenitoLink. 

United Way grants offer nonprofits the same grant amount for three consecutive years if their requirements are met.  United Way grants focus on three areas of assistance; youth success, programs that improve family financial stability and  programs that support good health. BenitoLink thanks United Way for taking an interest in our Millennial News Producer program.

 

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Leslie David

Leslie David is a Bay Area independent reporter/producer and is a BenitoLink founding board member. She has produced for radio, television, newspaper and magazines in both California and Wyoming. She was with KRON-TV News in San Francisco as camera-woman, editor and field producer, where she won the Commonwealth Club's Thomas Storke Award with Linda Yee for their series on the Aids Epidemic. She started as a small market news reporter shooting her own 16mm film at KEYT-TV Santa Barbara. Leslie lives on a ranch with her family in San Benito County.