Video Game Palooza

Where Play Inspires Possibility.

Founded by Rick and Cara Barretto, Video Game Palooza (VGP) began with a simple but powerful idea: harness the universal love of video games to inspire, educate, and give back. Over the years, VGP has grown into a recognized nonprofit with national and international reach — including induction into the International Video Game Hall of Fame, honoring its impact on society through gaming, education, and charity.

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The Charity Arcade
At the heart of VGP is the Charity Arcade, an invention that transforms classic arcade and modern gaming into a force for good. Installed at schools, community centers, and corporate events, the Charity Arcade brings people together, raises funds, and channels proceeds into youth education and technology training programs. It’s more than entertainment — it’s a way to give back while having fun.

 

Create & Play Camps
VGP’s Create & Play Camps immerse kids in both sides of gaming:

• Play: building teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving through fun and inclusive gameplay.

• Create: introducing coding, design, and storytelling to help kids build their own games, sparking creativity and interest in STEM.

Through these camps and community programs, thousands of children have gained exposure to technology, creativity, and collaboration in a way that feels natural and fun.

 

Pathway to Hope Training Academy
For many young learners, VGP is the entry point to technology. Kids who discover a passion for gaming and creation at Video Game Palooza are introduced to Hope Training Academy (HTA) — a program of VGP and also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. HTA expands that spark into verified IT and cybersecurity skills, apprenticeships, and real career pathways. Together, VGP and HTA form a pipeline from play to purpose, ensuring that curiosity leads to opportunity, especially for underserved and economically disadvantaged students.

Our Impact

• Thousands of kids and families reached through camps, Charity Arcade events, and community programs.

• Induction into the International Video Game Hall of Fame in recognition of social impact through gaming.

• Two nonprofit arms — VGP and HTA — working hand in hand to inspire, train, and launch careers in technology.

• A legacy of innovation that proves video games can be more than play: they can be a catalyst for education, empowerment, and hope.

 

Our Vision Forward
Video Game Palooza and Hope Training Academy will continue to expand this dual mission — bringing joy through games, building skills through training, and transforming lives through opportunity. From the arcade floor to the workplace, our goal is clear: to help every learner unlock their potential.