Professional Development at the intersection of social justice, creative learning, and technology
As part of The Clubhouse Network’s commitment to professional development, we host an annual fellowship for The Clubhouse’s professional community. The Tech Fellows program provides Clubhouse staff with the learning experience to merge interdisciplinary skills training, technology, and practical experience. At the intersection of social justice, creative learning, and technology, our Tech Fellows program will give Coordinators the opportunity to develop learning experiences within their Clubhouse, while also serving as mentors to coordinators around the global Network.
Tech Fellows gain exposure to the varied uses of technology, integration, and community building to deepen understanding of the systematic barriers that prevent marginalized communities from accessing technologies and how The Clubhouse Network can help bridge that gap.
All Clubhouse staff was eligible to apply. Out of an impressive candidate pool, three fellows were selected for their drive for innovation, education, and equity. These individuals held a deep interest in the Clubhouse Learning Model and sought to explore deeper implementation strategies.
Meet the 2022 cohort of fellows:
Dolores del Socorro Hernandez, Mentor Coordinator
The Best Buy Teen Tech Center @ Family Service Association of San Antonio
San Antonio, TX, USA
Dolores del Socorro Hernandez is the IMPACTS 3.0 Mentor Coordinator at The Best Buy Teen Tech Center @ Family Service Association of San Antonio in Texas. She has dedicated the last decade of her life to empowering youth. She has worked domestically and abroad as a teacher, always learning from her youth as much as she teaches them. She has a particular passion for the arts. Prior to teaching, she coordinated a youth theater leadership program with Latinos Progresando in Chicago. In her own arts career, Dolores has stage-managed and produced many staged pieces and short films. Most recently the short film “Uku Pacha” was recognized at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Currently, at The Best Buy Teen Tech Center, Dolores empowers youth by partnering them with meaningful mentors. She never misses a chance to help youth in creating art, discovering technology, and creating opportunities for themselves.
Saul Zelaya, C2C Facilitator
The Best Buy Teen Tech Center @ Kings Highway Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Saul Zelaya is an interactive media artist, web developer, and C2C Pathways Program Facilitator for Brooklyn Public Library’s Kings Highway Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Brooklyn, New York. Since fall of 2019, Saul has been an integral member of BPL’s tech center team. First serving as a volunteer mentor, inspired by his own college mentors, and then as the C2C Facilitator, a role he has held since early 2021. At the Library, Saul plans and implements creative learning experiences to best serve the community and continuously aspires to be the mentor he wished he had had as a teen. Previously, Saul worked as a Technology Intern in the Hunter College Film & Media Department and as the Multimedia & Graphic Design and Communications Intern in the office of NYC Council Member Ben Kallos. Saul holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Film & Media from CUNY Hunter College.
Sean Spencer, Clubhouse Coordinator
The Youth Connections Clubhouse
Lismore, NSW, Australia
From NSW, Australia, Sean Spencer has been working creatively for over 20 years. He has traveled Australia, teaching remote Indigenous youth from remote communities how to use Multi-Media and music to tell their stories. Sean has worked in many capacities as a youth worker and media maker in over 40 communities across Australia. Over the last 3 years, Sean has been the Clubhouse Coordinator in Lismore NSW for Social Futures and has been enjoying learning new skills such as robotics and coding to teach the youth across the Northern Rivers NSW region.