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College Mentors for Kids is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers an innovative mentoring program designed to provide young children with opportunities for successful and viable futures. College Mentors for Kids! cultivates ongoing mentoring relationships between college and elementary-aged students through shared learning experiences on the campus and in the community, in order to increase the percentage of children who become responsible and productive adults. Click here to visit their website. Music Works Northwest
Music Works has evolved into an organization that offers one of the most comprehensive variety of music education in the Northwest region. Their programs include private and group instruction (keyboards, strings, guitar, woodwinds, brass, percussion and voice), jazz combos, big bands, classical and percussion ensembles, early childhood programs, music therapy and recording opportunities. Music Works currently serves more than 1,000 students, including summer camps and ensembles, and has over 50 working professionals as faculty employees.
Music Works Offerings Private Instruction serves beginners to advanced level musicians from the very young through adulthood. All are invited to study with Music Works' outstanding faculty; private, semi-private, and group lessons are available. Group Music Classes are a fun way to play with others and improve skills. In a group environment, students learn to listen and respond to other musicians, and receive coaching from highly-qualified instructors. Early Childhood Programs provide the earliest opportunities that awaken talent and creativity, build self-esteem and instill discipline – a vital foundation for lifelong learning. Performing Ensembles are groups comprised of committed student and adult musicians who are interested in performing for the community. The music is challenging and broadens the student's musical ability. Performance opportunities can vary from social events to formal concerts. All performing ensembles have a required placement audition. Audio Engineering Classes offer the curious learner and the experienced techie an array of classes, individual instruction and workshops on the latest digital recording techniques and music technology platforms. Music Therapy Classes allow Music Therapists to work with clients to achieve non-musical goals. Areas that may be addressed include:
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
Since September 10, 1972, The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center has been home to numerous exhibits and partnered with local public elementary schools in need of arts and literacy enrichment.
The Art and Literacy Connection By partnering with five area public schools, BMAC’s Art and Literacy Connection program served 305 K-12 students in the first year. Plans for next year’s program are to add two additional schools and include teachers previously not enrolled in the program. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) For over a decade, BMAC has been committed to developing highly effective education programs for children, teachers, and adult learners. Central to these endeavors in the schools is the role of Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), which serves as a method of viewing and understanding art that promotes important educational benefits across the curriculum.
Developed by veteran museum educator Philip Yenawine and supported by the research of cognitive psychologist Abigail Housen, Visual Thinking Strategies has been field-tested since 1991 in the United States, Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. VTS is based on the premise that students exercise important cognitive skills by examining works of art, discussing what they see, and developing interpretations. Studying art is unique in that, unlike many other areas of study, there is no one right answer to the questions posed. The meaning of a work of art can be considered from many different sides and all add to and enhance its interpretation. The more we look and think about what we see, the more we can understand. This makes art and invaluable took for fostering cognitive development through observation, critical thinking, articulate self-expression, and group interaction. VTS cultivates a community of learners where student think, reflect, and build their observations based on what they see. The student, a novice viewer, builds self-esteem as he or she develops opinions and shares them with peers. In making meaning from a work of art or an illustration in a book, children create stories and are encouraged to read. The connection of seeing, personal experience, and interpretation creates a wide range of possibilities for written expression. Research has clearly shown that the development of verbal and critical thinking skills supports improved literacy. The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that presents the art of our time in a way that entertains, educates, and enlightens audiences of all ages. Click here to visit their website. African Community International, Inc.
The Language Laboratory and Literacy Project (LLLP) To assess the most pressing needs facing African immigrants, The African Center conducts annual interviews with recently arrived adults and youth. Information collected from these interviews confirmed that the ability to communicate was central to a meaningful and successful transition to life in the United States. Therefore, in April 2004, African Community International initiated a project that would be executed in phases over a period of three years. This project established an in-house Language Multimedia Laboratory and Literacy Unit that serves all African immigrants and refugees in the community. Participants can attend various classes at the facility and increase their language and computer literacy. When participants complete a level or stage of the program, they are rewarded for their hard work with items of their choice including clothes, food, books, or even a donated and restored computer. The project has been extremely successful in serving as a gateway to other resources for the participants. In addition, the participation of young adults has motivated parents or older generations to become more actively involved with The African Center.
African Community International is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to provide services that support Africans and enhance their active participation and connection in American society and in their homeland. Click here to visit their website. Seattle Chamber Music Society
With a reputation for artistic excellence, innovative programming, and exciting performances that keep audiences returning year after year, it is no surprise that the Seattle Chamber Music Society finished a spectacular 23rd season with a record number of sold-our concerts and recitals. Bringing Chamber Music to the Masses In the past few years, the outlets for classical music in this country have decreased. Record companies are releasing less classical product, some orchestras struggle to stay afloat, and radio stations seem to be backing away from the classical format. Compounding the problem is the tendency of public school systems to cut music programs when facing a budgetary crisis. In this environment, Seattle Chamber Music Society’s mission to bring classical music to the masses seems more important than ever. It is our privilege at The Clowes Fund, Inc. to support the artistic operations of Seattle Chamber Music Society and assist them in expanding their donor base. “I’ve become a ‘follower’ of some of your artists and love to see them come back year after year.”
Music from the Summer Festival extended far beyond the walls of St. Nicholas Hall. Each concert was preceded by a free pre-concert recital in McKay Chapel. All recitals and concerts were also broadcast live onto the lawn, making it possible for even more listeners to enjoy each performance on the school grounds. In addition, all 12 main concerts were broadcast live on KING-FM, reaching an additional 15, 000 radio listeners every night. Selections from the 2004 Summer Festival season were broadcast on National Public Radio’s Performance Today on more than 300 stations nationwide. The Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that fosters appreciation of chamber music by presenting performances featuring world-class musicians in accessible and inviting formats, with an emphasis on developing a broad-based, sustainable audience through education and community outreach. Click here to visit their website. Boston Adult Literacy Fund (BALF)There are over 5,500 adults currently on waiting lists in Greater Boston wanting to learn how to read. Although these adults are determined to improve their lives and the lives of their children, they will have to wait more than three years for an opening in a literacy class. The Boson Adult Literacy Fund (BALF) is working to mobilize community resources and strengthen adult basic education in Boston. Through grants, free technical assistance, mentoring, and scholarships, BALF provides access to basic education for adults so they can achieve their goals as parents, workers, and community members. Literacy is not only a powerful instrument for social progress; it is essential for the full expression of the human personality. Eric Haroldo Rosales was born in Guatemala and moved to the United States in 1994. This is his story: "The day I got my GED was the best day of my life. But then I thought, “I’ve been here 7 years; I’ve had 22 jobs and I’m still earning $5.50. What’s wrong?” I knew I had to keep on in school but it was no longer free. The Boston Adult Literacy Fund awarded me a scholarship that paid for my first two semesters. I still volunteered in my literacy program while I worked and went to college. One day my teacher said, “Eric, we want to hire you as a teacher.” Now I teach full-time and continue with my education. I always say to my students - I am the oldest adult learner here. No one has stayed here as long as I have. It took me years first to learn English and then get skills and my GED and now, I’m still here to help you. But, see, it was worth it." Advanced training is necessary to obtain family-supporting jobs with benefits and career ladders. The Boston Adult Literacy Fund awards scholarships to adults who have completed their Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) studies at a Greater Boston community-based literacy program and want to continue on to higher education or vocational training. Boston Adult Literacy Scholars are selected on the basis of their educational achievements, service to their respective community, and perseverance in the face of hardships. The scholarships are especially important to adults wanting to pursue further education because many BALF Scholars shoulder tremendous burdens including deep financial and care-giving responsibilities. Most scholars ultimately use their small grant money for essential expenses such as computer software or textbooks. Since 1990, Boston Adult Literacy Fund has awarded 195 scholarships. Many of the scholarship recipients have become BALF supporters who are active participants in the adult literacy community. In 2002, BALF initiated their first scholarships for students enrolled in their second year of college. And with plans to establish a four-year competitive scholarship program in the works, BALF continues to support adults in their quest for more education and training. The Boston Adult Literacy Fund (BALF) is a nonprofit organization that supports literacy efforts for adults and their families. Literacy is life changing and although the adults assisted by BALF have goals ranging from an enhanced ability to communicate in English to a need for high school credentials, all of them believe literacy acquisition is the first step in improving their lives and the lives of their children. Click here to visit their website. Second Helpings
James Dean Le Blac (left) is just one of five recent graduates of the Second Helpings Culinary Job Training Partner Program. The program helps train disadvantaged adults with culinary skills. In the graduation program, James noted the following: “As you can see from my name, I was a rebel before I could be a rebel. James Dean lived his life to the fullest—full + fast. I was born in a small town in western Illinois, fifteen minutes from Ronald Reagan’s hometown. So, being multicultural and a democrat, the cards were stacked against me. But my grandmother said, ‘If you can believe in one person in life, believe in yourself, and others are sure to follow.’ Thank you Chef Brown, for not only being my instructor, but taking it to a personal level also. I am homeless. I have mental health issues. I also have prior substance abuse issues. Because of Second Helpings program, I not only believe in myself and what I can accomplish — but that there are others who believe in me and what I can accomplish one hundred and ten percent.” James is currently employed as a prep cook at Smokey Bones located downtown Indianapolis. This is a brand new location, and James had the opportunity to help the manager prepare for the grand opening which was a great learning experience! “He’s come a long way, and we are very proud of him!” said Jill Shelton, Director of Development. About Job-Training at Second Helpings Many adults lack the skills to find employment at a living wage. For this reason, they and their families must live below the poverty line. At the same time, the food service industry often struggles for lack of skilled employees. Second Helping's ten week professional culinary job-training program is designed to provide the skills necessary to start a career in the food service industry. They have successfully placed over 70% of their graduates in positions upon completion of their program and 72% remain employed after six months. Their own full-time culinary instructor, Sam Brown, teaches the classes. Guest chefs incorporate hands-on kitchen work, lectures, videos, classroom activities and field trips. Graduates are also eligible to receive 3 credits from the culinary program at Ivy Tech. Students come from diverse backgrounds. Many students come to Second Helpings through the recommendation of caseworkers or job counselors. The program offers an excellent opportunity for adults who are motivated but lack job-skills. According to the National Restaurant Association and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in the restaurant industry will increase by two million job openings in the next seven years - a projected growth of 1.7%, exceeding all other industries nationwide. By completing the Second Helpings job training program, trainees develop skills and professionalism that are in high demand in the food service industry. The average starting wage for a Second Helpings graduate is $8.75 an hour. Second Helpings, Inc., a non-profit food rescue and job-training program serving greater Indianapolis, safely utilizes rescued food to educate and train adults for positions in the culinary field and to distribute nutritious meals to shelters for the disadvantaged. Click here to visit their website. |
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Centro Latino de Chelsea’s growth over the past few years has been driven by the increasing demand for health, education, and assistance needs of the newcomer populations. Immigrants overwhelmingly identify getting a “good job” and providing their children with better opportunities, as the fundamental goals for their new life in the United States. Centro helps Latinos and immigrants to overcome the most prevalent barriers to reaching these goals: English language and job skills, knowledge of community resources, and achieving and/or maintaining adequate immigration status that allows them to live and work in the U.S.
College Mentors for Kids Inc. (CMFK) was started in 1995 by two college students at Indiana University who wanted to give underprivileged children an opportunity to experience a world beyond their poverty-stricken neighborhoods. The two friends researched existing mentoring programs and consulted with various individuals in the field, including community leaders of Big Brothers Big Sisters, to find a special niche and create something unique. Over the next year, they decided to target school children ages 5-9, harness the energy of college students as one-on-one mentors and create a program that takes place on college campuses.
The mentoring program is designed to provide young children with opportunities for successful and viable futures. Selected at-risk children, in grades 1 through 4, are bussed to a local college campus once a week where they are met by their mentor. Structured activities are designed to meet many specific targeted outcomes including increased attendance rates, increased interest in school and a vision for the future which includes attending college and receiving a college degree. 
For over twenty years, the Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) has brought together musicians with international performance careers and helped to popularize chamber music in the greater Seattle area. Performances offered year-around free of charge and community outreach efforts including an Educate your Ear lecture series and a Meet the Composer event, allow SCMS to provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joys of chamber music.
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