Buffalo Youth in Motion is a collaboration between Houghton College, Lafayette High School, and AmeriCorps ABLE, is an after-school program. The 16 students- all refugee youth-  involved in BYIM are learning how to use digital video to communicate their unique stories and perspectives through film.  The program began in October of 2009, and will end in May 2010 with a Film Festival showcasing the students’ work.  We hope that through video, our students begin to find their voices, and that they will speak confidently about their hopes and passions for their future and the future of their communities. We hope that through video our students find their voices and learn to speak confidently about their hopes and passions for their futures and the future of their community.

Snapshot of a Day

An average day at BYIM begins as students shuffle in shortly after the bell rings around 2:55.  Tuesdays begin with lectures about a new skill or task involving Final Cut Pro, or introducing a new film term or genre project.  The students are then tasked with applying their new knowledge through an activity, whether it be scripting and storyboarding a short film or going on a film scavenger hunt through the school to practice composition and angles.  Wednesdays are used for lab time to work on editing projects, or to work on homework and get tutoring help if needed. Thursdays are usually lab days, spent working in groups or individually to edit projects in Final Cut.