Photo by: Simon Gentry www.simongentry.com

Upon my first meeting as a volunteer for the Kid’s Play program at Hope Stone Inc I knew I had walked into something very special.

 

Kid’s Play is an arts outreach scholarship program for at-risk children and youth. Classes include music, theatre and dance. This year the program has been extended to also include photography, creative writing and YouthSound, a teenage boys band. The children, ages ranging from 6 years to teenagers, give a public performance in the spring of a premier piece that showcases what they have learned during their 8 month program.

 

Jane Weiner, artistic director of Hope Stone, Inc., started the Kid’s Play arts outreach program in 2002. At present Hope Center has gifted over 200 scholarships to children of all ages at their studio and is working with 70 full scholarship students. Jane believes ALL children are artists, and art creates healthy roots that ground children to earth, allowing them to grow in healthy, positive and amazing ways!

 

As an intern for Hope Stone this year within the Kid’s Play program, it has been a great honor and a privilege to be a part of such an incredible program with an amazing group of people, all of which have such selfless interest in our children.  (I am the assistant to the teachers for the teen music/dance/theater program that meets twice a week)

 

This is how I met Andre Shaw and learned of his difficulty in making it to the Kid’s Play program.  Andre is a high school student who learned of this program through his guidance counselor and immediately jumped in headfirst!  Andre currently takes two buses from school and spends an hour getting to the Kid’s Play studio. This, unfortunately, causes Andre to miss the first hour of classes.  But he is determined to be a part of this education and has persevered the entire first semester to be a part of Kid’s Play! It is with this dedication that I see in Andre that moved me to take action and want to help this young man! 

 

Gayla Miller (5 year theatre instructor for the Kid’s Play program) describes Andre as:

 

“an amazing teenager.  He has a calm confidence that is rare for boys of his age.  He is athletic and artistic and seems to know what he wants.   He wants art in his life. He is trying so hard to make it to Hope Center each week.  He does not need motivation, he does not need encouragement, he needs A RIDE!  Andre WILL make a difference in his own life and in the life of others and I am proud to be part of his journey.”

 

In his own words, Andre describes the Kid’s Play program as a “key to long term success.” 

 

Andre goes on to explain:

 

“In life we have many opportunities for success. On the other hand, we also have many opportunities for failure. By observing others I have learned early on that the key to long-term success is early preparation. As a result, I choose Hope Stone’s Kids Play. While attending Hope Stone, I have learned great skills that have not only enhanced my theatrical abilities, but have also enriched my life in its entirety. Hope Stone has taught me improvisational methods, performance techniques, and the prestigious faculty is continuously teaching me important skills that are essential for my success. Being apart of Hope Stone has been a wonderful experience, and I would love to continue to be apart of this life changing organization. I greatly appreciate this once in a lifetime opportunity Hope Stone has given me with my scholarship to become a long-term success. I know with their help, that I will excel beyond my wildest imagination, and that I will learn to overcome any obstacle in my way.”

 

 Unfortunately, in spite of all his effort, Andre will not be able to perform during the spring show unless we do something about it!

 

In an effort to help Andre, I have teamed up with the Yellow Cab Company of Houston to offer Andre transportation from his school to the Kid’s Play program at Hope Stone Inc. With your help and generous donations we can give Andre, as he so poignantly put it, “this once in a lifetime opportunity”.

 Click on the Chipin button below to make your donation. Thank you!

Alicia Castellano, CHHC, AADP

Alicia is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor with a passion for helping others transition into a healthy lifestyle and create extraordinary lives for themselves. She lives in Houston,Texas where she runs a private practice. Alicia loves to dance, loves music and has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning.

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