Discovery Language Academy to open state-of-the art collaborative workspace hub

December 16, 2021 : O Jornal, by Lurdes C. da Silva

NEW BEDFORD – A new, state-of-the art digital technology collaborative workspace hub is starting to gain shape in downtown New Bedford as an extension to the Discovery Language Academy at the DeMello International Center.

The Discovery Economic Development Hub is being created with a $50,000 grant awarded by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency and matching funds from the DeMello Charitable Foundation ($25,000) and Bridgewater State University ($25,000 in in-kind donation).

“The hub was designed to increase the quality of cross-fertilization of ideas and initiatives to address identified barriers to economic development by a large segment of the population in New Bedford,” said Dr. Leslie Vicente, the executive director of the Discovery Language Academy. 

The 1,800-square-foot smart workspace will feature a welcoming area and open seating and meeting areas all equipped with high-end technology and high-speed internet. It will offer teleconference and broadcast capabilities, a recording studio, 3D printers, laser cutter and free Wi-Fi, among other amenities.

“The idea is to create paths to higher education by providing educational opportunities to our community and providing skill development opportunities to help elevate the economy,” said Dr. Vicente.

She said the hub will provide collaborative workspace and training to individuals who have experienced educational and digital skill deficit due to English language barriers or less access to technology. Teachers, tutors or workers who are struggling with the use of digital/visual tools can also benefit from this space, as well as parents who are expected to help their children with online learning but lack computer or English skills.

“One of our goals is to harness the creativity and talents within as well as outside the diverse communities in New Bedford,” said Dr. Vicente. “The hub is designed to connect teachers, students, workers with families and their communities, as well as key businesses and institutions so as to foster trusting relationships.”

She said the hub will be specific to the challenges faced by the city of New Bedford as it retools so as to be part of the rapidly changing economic markets. It will collaborate with non-profit community agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and outside collaborative stakeholders to attain its goals.

MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera said his agency is proud to administer the Collaborative Workspace Program, which acts as “a vehicle for the Commonwealth to invest in alternative workplaces where makers, artists, chefs, and other professionals can make their dreams a reality.”

“Collaborative workspaces offer resources such as shared tools and equipment, mentoring and educational programming, and peer-to-peer support that create real economic opportunities for their members,” Rivera told O Jornal. “This community-based resource, backed by strong support from educational institutions like Bridgewater State University, has the potential to break down barriers and empower residents with the tools, training, and entrepreneurial skills they need to start or grow their own businesses.”
Viriato “Vinny” deMacedo, special adviser to the president for university initiatives at Bridgewater State University, said BSU has been working with the Discovery Language Academy for a few years trying to find opportunities to collaborate with the city of New Bedford.

“Bridgewater State is very focused on our gateway cities and encouraging those students that would choose to participate in higher education,” he told O Jornal. “We want to help provide resources to get them to a place where they feel more comfortable to pursue a higher education.”

He said BSU will be donating computer and digital equipment worth $25,000 to the new hub.

“There are individuals that don’t necessarily have access to the electronic equipment and the Internet,” he said. “We believe that because our society is more and more dependent on that, that’s a great way to open the doors for people to get access to education. We’re excited and believe this hub is going to be a great place for the city of New Bedford to be able to go and find opportunities in higher education and in just learning in general.”

Business leader and philanthropist James DeMello, the trustee of the DeMello Charitable Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting regional economic development, education and healthcare in the SouthCoast region, said he was pleased to contribute to the DLA hub project and help students and individuals in this community develop a career path.

“They can build their career skills and become more valuable citizens to the community and to themselves and their families,” he told O Jornal. “I think that building up the skill level of our community is the key issue for growth and for the future of our country, of our community and of our people.”

The new space was designed by Architect Joseph da Silva of Design Collaborative Studio, LLC of Fall River. 

“All my time ($15,000 worth of design and project management time) is being donated to this worthy endeavor,” he told O Jornal.

He said his goal was to create a space that would facilitate business development opportunities for our diverse community. 

“[It’s] a space where our diverse community could come together and have access to tools to make their business ideas possible,” he said. 

Silva said he took a special interest in this project not only because it can be a catalyst for economic, cultural and intellectual engagement, but also for personal reasons.

“This project feels very different because I am giving back to my roots as a first-generation immigrant growing up in the Southcoast,” he said. “This project allows me to give back to a community that has given me so much.”

Silva worked in Downtown New Bedford between 2000 and 2007.

“Designing a dozen of new public schools in New Bedford and Fall River has given me a strong sense of community,” he said. “This project at the Discovery Language Academy is a natural extension of that design work and it’s a place where my daughter Dr. Shantel Dasilva works. In short, this project is personal and connects my work deeply to my Portuguese-American roots.”

Dr. Vicente expects the new space to be completed by June. When not being used by its partners, the space will be available for rent, offering a collaborative work environment for start-ups, enterprises and professionals, she said.

“The goal is to have it fully up and running for fall 2022,” she said.