Building a sustainable community takes more than impact projects, alley clean-ups and block captains. The key to providing long-term solutions is to convince our youth that their neighborhoods are great places to live and raise a family.

Our task is to get these same young adults to come back home — to buy a new house or rehab an older one, put their kids in local schools and share their newly acquired skills with their hometown or home neighborhood.

The best way to recruit them is to convince them of their value — their importance as people — before they leave.

Involving our youth in the arts is a great way for our youth to interact with their communities — and weave themselves into the fabric of their neighborhoods. Last year, we started Summer Art Classes (photos below) twice a week during June and July. In the fall, we have after-school classes in “Creativity and Technology.” The first Saturday of each month is an Artist Workshop where residents from 6 to 60 years old observe and practice the techniques of different artists.

We have engaged local elementary schools in photography projects that encourage self-expression, and this year, we started a mural project that was largely designed and partially painted by 90 fifth graders. For these projects, we were able to collect small donations from individuals to cover the cost of exhibits and treats.

If you would like to contribute to our ARTS fund, you can do so below using PayPal. PayPal is 100% secure, and you do not need an account to use.