Rafael Vaca, Teen Tech Center Coordinator, represented BGCSL at the 2025 Best Buy Teen Tech Connection Summit in Minnesota. During the summit, Rafael facilitated a workshop that highlighted BGCSL’s partnership with KQED and the Youth Media Challenge, demonstrating how young people are using audio, video, and digital storytelling to uplift their voices and reflect on real-life experiences. The session served as a model for how other sites can implement similar programming in their own Teen Tech Centers.
At the summit’s closing ceremony, Rafael was recognized by the West Coast Territory Manager as one of only two coordinators selected for regional staff recognition. This honor is awarded to Teen Tech Center leaders who demonstrate exceptional impact, leadership, and innovation.
In February, Rafael launched a pilot Teen Tech Internship Program, offering paid internships to high school members in tech-driven roles. Interns contributed to projects in digital storytelling, Salesforce systems, and content management, while building both technical skills and workplace readiness. Vaca plants to expand this initiative by continuing to develop partnerships with local businesses and organizations to offer paid internships across industries. This vision aligns with BGCA’s Future Ready strategic direction, BGCSL’s mission to prepare youth for great futures, and Best Buy’s commitment to tech equity and career readiness for teens.
