At Reed’s Refuge Center in Wilmington, academic learning sits alongside music, media and the arts. S.T.R.E.A.M. is one expression of that approach: it connects six subjects through reading, exploration and creative work.
What S.T.R.E.A.M. brings together
S.T.R.E.A.M. stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Reed’s Refuge’s published program description places reading at the center of those connections. Understanding instructions, researching a question and explaining an idea are skills that carry across the subjects. The program is intended to help young people prepare for further education and the careers they choose. It forms part of the center’s wider youth arts, academic and mentorship programs.
A documented example: L.E.A.R.N. in 2021
On January 8, 2021, Reed’s Refuge announced a $33,000 innovation grant from New Castle to support L.E.A.R.N., short for Laboratory for Equal Education and Access at Reeds’ Refuge Neighborhood. The original announcement described a virtual learning classroom, graphic design resources and audio engineering tools. It also identified workplace communication and other soft skills as part of the learning. This 2021 initiative provides an example of how the center has connected academic access with creative technology.
Academic support and creative activities are both part of Reed’s Refuge’s approach to youth learning.
Finding a program for your family
The current program overview includes S.T.R.E.A.M., tutoring, multimedia and creative arts. Families can use it to explore the different subjects before asking which activities are available now. For ages, schedules, enrollment and the support a participant may need, contact the Reed’s Refuge team. A conversation with the center is the best way to match a young person’s interests with an available program.