MINNESOTA — LiveMore ScreenLess, a nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis that promotes Digital Wellbeing for and with young people, announced a $150,000 grant from Google.org today to increase Digital Wellbeing in Minnesota schools.
The grant will support LiveMore ScreenLess’ statewide Digital Wellbeing program, which begins with Digital Wellbeing training and certification of educators. The grant will provide Digital Wellbeing Educator training access to 250 educators across the state and will lay the foundation for 100 students to attend the 2024 Digital Wellbeing Student Leadership Summit. Equipping educators with the LiveMore ScreenLess evidence-based Digital Wellbeing approach is the initial step in providing tools and resources for meaningful engagement with students around the effects of screens on their learning and wellbeing.
“LiveMore Screenless believes in the leadership of young people to bring about a school culture shift toward Digital Wellbeing. A partnership with Google supports activating and equipping Minnesota educators that will plant the seeds for student leadership to flourish and for Digital Wellbeing to be led for and with young people,” said Katherine Myers, Executive Director at LiveMore ScreenLess.
“Google is proud to support LiveMore ScreenLess’ efforts to promote Digital Wellbeing for young people in Minnesota through increased educator training,” said Dan Harbeke, who grew up in Minnesota and is the Regional Head of Public Policy and External Affairs for Google. “The student-centric approach will help students thrive in the digital world during their crucial youth years and beyond.”
Through an additional grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, LiveMore ScreenLess is also certifying School Media Specialists beginning in January 2024, creating synergy between the Media Specialist Certification and educator training that fosters sustainable Digital Wellbeing.
About LiveMore ScreenLess: Visit https://livemorescreenless.org to learn more.
About Google in Minnesota: Through a partnership with the Mayo Clinic, Google has called Minnesota home since 2019, with an office in Rochester near the Mayo Clinic headquarters opened in 2021. The company also partners with local organizations and nonprofits to bring digital skills training, grant funding, and other resources and services to more Minnesotans, including those historically underserved. Google.org has awarded more than $4 million in grants to nonprofits and organizations based in Minnesota, through initiatives such as the local Google.org Impact Challenge.
Media Contact for LiveMore ScreenLess:
Katherine Myers
kk@livemorescreenless.org
(612) 405-7645