Support Future Generations with Your Donation to Launch the Youth Innovation Studio in WACO!!
We are seeking your support Immediate Opportunity: Engaging Waco's Youth and Supporting Local Nonprofits The Jacob deCordova Society is launching the Youth Innovation Studio, a dynamic training program that combines storytelling, digital media, and film production. Our program, led by industry veteran Ken Rogers, offers participants hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and techniques in creating digital content. The need for these organizations to effectively tell their stories—especially through digital platforms—has never been more critical.
This shift places a new emphasis on their ability to communicate their missions effectively through digital storytelling—precisely the skills our program will teach. Ready-to-Go Learning Laboratory: Ken Rogers is currently finishing the documentary film on deCordova, which will serve as a learning laboratory environment for our participants. This provides a unique, real-world opportunity for students to see the process of animation first-hand and be in a position to apply this knowledge, with direction, to benefit some of Waco's nonprofits.
With your support, we can fast-track the training of local youth for nonprofit digital storytelling, equipping them with the skills to assist nonprofits in telling their stories more effectively. The Youth Innovation Studio aligns perfectly with the City of Wac's mission of fostering innovation in Workplace Training. By collaborating, we can harness the latest technologies to support local nonprofits while providing valuable educational opportunities for Waco's youth. creating a compelling documentary that explores the life and legacy of Jacob DeCordova - an unsung hero and remarkable Jewish figure in the early history of Texas.
Jacob DeCordova was more than just a surveyor and landman; he was a visionary. As one of the principal founders of Waco Village, a creator of the first-ever map of Texas, and an influential politician during the nascent days of the Texas Republic, DeCordova played a pivotal role in shaping not only the state of Texas but also the United States as a whole.
The story behind this documentary is to unveil the history of Jacob DeCordova and his lasting impact on our community, educating our younger generations about the rich, diverse foundations of their heritage. By employing the latest technologies and collaborating with expert historians, we aim to tell a story that resonates across generations, igniting interest in history and fostering an appreciation of the past's influence on our present.
Moreover, as Waco enters a period of reinvestment and revitalization, there is no better time to recall the men and women who first believed in its potential. By exploring DeCordova's vision and dedication, we hope to reinforce the value of shared purpose and the power of a united community.
As of today, we have already established partnerships with secular and Jewish historians and have accessed relevant historical records at Baylor University and the University of Texas (Austin). And we have devised a plan to complete a 200-Year Time Capsule: A Legacy for Future Generations of Wacoans. To be opened on the 200th anniversayr of Waco, March 1, 2049. The centerpiece of our efforts will be the 200-Year Time Capsule Project. This initiative ties all our work together, creating a tangible and symbolic representation of Waco's past, present, and future: A Living Archive: Collect contributions from the community, including digital media, artifacts, oral histories, and reflections on what Waco represents today. A Digital and Physical Legacy: Develop a virtual museum showcasing the time capsule's contents and connect it to a permanent exhibit at a local institution
We still need your support to bring this project to life. The funds raised will be directed towards the final production of a 45-minute documentary which will be premeired for the City at the Waco Civic Theater on January 31, 2025. the launch of the Youth Innovation Studio and the 200 year Time Capsule.
Celebrate WACO 175!!
What Jacob De Cordova would do today is in our hands to develop as a testament to our history, a tribute to diversity, and a rallying cry for unity. Stand with us, contribute to our cause, and let us together make this inspiring chapter of Texas history accessible to everyone. Your support can make a difference in how we remember our past and envision our future.
If you are interested in naming opportunities associated with the film please email us at: JacobdeCordovaSociety@gmail.com
To donate, scroll above to one of the giving levels and click to make your donation. And, to give via check:
Please make payable to: The Jacob de Cordova Society
c/o Jeff Aresty, President
2512 Austin Ave.
Waco, Texas 76710