FabNewport

Newport, RI

Forging partnerships and possibilities

FabNewport began in 2013 as a Fab Lab in Newport, Rhode Island, aimed at closing the equity gap among middle and high schoolers and unleashing the “maker” in every young person. As the founders engaged with youth, they quickly realized that students weren’t just making things, but also profoundly transforming their lives. Since then, FabNewport has grown significantly, offering diverse experiences to over 700 primarily urban middle and high school youth annually through school-day, after-school, and summer learning experiences across the community.

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See for yourself

What it looks and feels like

FabNewport inspires a world of possibilities for its youth, many coming from under-resourced communities. Through community-based programs spanning cooking, robotics, sailing, and agriculture, young people explore their passions and cultivate versatile skills. One example of how this comes to life—a dedicated mentor leading the FabGolf program introduces youth to a typically cost-prohibitive sport, along with 14 related career paths and invaluable life lessons. FabNewport prioritizes student input, actively responding to their interests by seeking out and collaborating with community partners. A student-requested surfing outing evolved into an entire surf program and an inquiry into marine life—an appealing blend of environmental science and recreation. Through enduring, multi-year relationships with staff—often starting at age 10 or 11—students gain the confidence and resources to shape their “Positive Future Vision” and create actionable plans to make their aspirations a reality.

I built up my confidence and crawled out of my shell. Whenever I was with someone from FabNewport, they cared about me and about my future. That is something not enough youth of color get, and I am so grateful.
DANNY, AGE 16

THE IMPACT

97%

FabNewport summer program participants say that staff respect them

86%

student retention rate from Summer 2021 to Summer 2022

40+

community partners offering programs to students

MODEL HIGHLIGHTS

Accessible programming

FabNewport actively reduces barriers to its opportunities and, by extension, the community, offering programs free of charge and providing transportation to the myriad places where they occur.

Long-term student engagement

FabNewport’s theory of change includes building trust with youth through engaging experiences while developing relationships with staying power. Youth often join at age 10 or 11 and remain connected until they are 18 or 19.

Future-focused

FabNewport students are supported to create and evolve their own “Positive Future Vision,” using it to pursue the experiences and grow the relationships necessary to achieve their goals.

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FabNewport Website

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