Bendable

What if we could pilot models among the established workforce that could inform how we redesign education, and specifically, how we connect young people to equitable, community-based learning?

IDEO, the groundbreaking global design firm, partnered with the Drucker Institute to bring to life such a platform in South Bend, IN. Bendable—a community-based learning platform (which also has an accompanying mobile application)—connects adults to a collection of “free resources on topics ranging from work skills to hobbies curated by local experts, residents, and business owners.” The program aims to build stronger connections in communities and assist adults in gaining access to valuable skill-building opportunities that are normally cost-prohibitive (but not with Bendable). Launched in 2020, Bendable will use South Bend as a catalyst for building a country-wide network of “Cities of Lifelong Learning.” Imagine what would be possible if young learners had similar exposure to these rich community-assets.