With opportunity landscaping, we have the where, what, and when of out-of-school opportunities and assets down to a science. But have you ever wondered why our youth flock to certain areas and programs while other community resources remain unexplored? 

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Freeze Frame is a geospatial capture mobile app that aims to bridge the gap in understanding how youth interact with community resources. The app allows individuals to document where and how they spend their free time outside of school, providing valuable insights into their engagement with local assets.

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The app captures various aspects of the individual’s activities, such as the location and name of the place, what they are doing (learning, playing, relaxing, etc.), who they are with, how they got there, why they went there, and the date and time of their visit. The data collected in Freeze Frame helps us understand neighborhood dynamics and identify spaces for informal learning through the lens of the youth. This data is crucial for policy and program development and effective resource allocation. By leveraging insights from the data patterns, we can better meet the needs of our youth and foster equitable access to community resources.

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Community engagement and empowerment are other essential aspects of Freeze Frame. The app actively engages with young people in their communities during out-of-school time. When documenting their activities, young people have the space to reflect on their experiences and make local opportunities more visible to their personal networks.

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With the creation of Freeze Frame, we move beyond the fragmented view of community opportunities and unlock the full potential of understanding and engaging with young people's individual experiences. This innovative approach has the potential to empower communities and build a more connected and equitable learning landscape. 

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If you know any young people (ages 12 - 24) in the City of Chicago who would be interested in participating in this research project, please reach out to Peri Green, peri@u.northwestern.edu 

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