Studio 789 Photo Club is available through the Genesee Center for Arts and Education and the Wilson Academy Foudation Middle School. The Center has continually developed programs that connect young people to our community and conversely, introduce the community to the creativity of our youth. Our primary demographic is inner-city children from low to modest income families ranging in age from 10 – 17 years. Our participants are mostly from the southwest and northeast neighborhoods of the City of Rochester, and reflect that region's demographic (approximately 80% African-American, 10% Latino, 10% other). Many of our students benefit greatly from a hands-on visual approach to learning.

Our photography programs instill the confidence, discipline and critical thinking necessary for future success in school and the workplace while teaching practical skills and nurturing self-expression. Students in the programs learn to take photographs and make their own black and white prints. They are also encouraged to write about their experiences and their images. Given the choice of drawing from themes such as families, communities and dreams (among others,) students are able to focus on what they value most in their lives.

With the exception of the School of the Arts, not one city middle school has a photography program. Thus the Darkroom offers students an opportunity they would otherwise not have.

The Wilson Foundation Academy Photo Club, established in 1999, has four primary objectives:
 -To teach students to use photography as a tool to develop a greater awareness of their community     and resources
 -To apply and integrate academic subjects into the field of photography
 -To develop teamwork and mentoring skills
 -To improve self-esteem through accomplishments

The program involves approximately 30 students each year and has a return rate of 40%. Each year we have a waiting list of 40-50 students.