Arts After School Kids (AASK)
I was born on the Six Nations Reserve in 1958 and lived through abuse in all aspects of my being.I have always had a very determined mind and spirit,which helped me survived my traumas.Through my life difficulties I have gained a lot of life experience and knowledge to share with the youth in the community.
I was watching Dr.Phil one day and he had a man named Fred Martin who was doing music and singing with the urban youth in California. When I saw this I knew that was it: the music, the creativity. Brainstorming and pen to paper created the AASK. I chose to work with youth ages 10-14. The young people are very vulnerable and impressionable, and very open to new ways of communication. I know that I struggled through this age and got involved with drugs, so I know how important this age is to reach and give some tools of self esteem, confidence, safety, a place and tools to help for the future. AASK is a place for youth to express their individuality through creative art and learn to appreciate the differences in others.
I chose to use music as the hook and catalyst for the youth to explore within themselves.The idea is to offer opportunity to receive hands on experience with acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, vocals, drums, drama and visual art to develop self esteem and confidence. I see the struggles of the youth today and I saw where I could give back and do my part in the community with our young people?
We are in our 5th year of growth and development. The Brantford Chapter is the flagship program, and continues to build a strong foundation for the Arts After School Kids Program. We are providing a model for success with the Brantford and beyond.
I believed the project is making a difference because youth are committed to the program during risk taking times of the day. This project gets students involved, committed, it is safe,consistent,and a fun program.We have students present art exhibits, perform and fundraise. Many parents have been pleasantly surprised when they realize that their child can sing, play an instrument or create artwork.Mr Vern Payne principal of Bellview a local school in 2007 loved the idea and support the inception.
I contacted the MPP for Brant, Dave Levac,a past educator was immediately on board with the project. Asking community members and networking with local business a 10 active volunteer Board membership is in place. 3 full time volunteers, 5 alumni students,along with a partnership with Laurier University and Mohawk College community learning programs choose AASK for a placement. The pilot project in 2007 had 18 of 22 students complete the full program. Today, we have 42 students participating and 10 alumni students returning from high school to acquire community hours. They still want to belong, and feel a part of this safe and secure adult-supervised organization. We also have a nutritional component; the students receive a snack at 3:30 and proceed to their art form of choice from 4:00-5:00 pm every Tuesday and Thursday during the school year. We will be implementing a March Break Camp and O. M. Smith School for a pilot and a full program will be operating at the first of five schools on Six Nations starting September 2012.
Arts After School Kids was the winner of the Shining Star award in Brantford under the new arts and culture category.
The organization has credited instructors teaching the students, all instructors, board members,and volunteers are required to submit a police check, we have a ratio of 1 adult per 4 students. The growth and development of the AASK organization is such an amazing experience and I can not imagine not being able to continue this work with the youth in not just our community but worldwide.This a very powerful time for change and it needs to begin in our own communities and beyond.
About You
About You
First Name
Gayle
Last Name
Myke
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
Arts After School Kids
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Arts After School Kids
Country
Canada
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
AASK_BRANTFORD
Facebook URL
artsafterschoolkids
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations people, Métis people, Other.
What best describes your group or organization
Community group or youth group, Non-profit organization.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Innovation
Name Your Entry
Arts After School Kids (AASK)
Tell us the story of your idea or project
I was born on the Six Nations Reserve in 1958 and lived through abuse in all aspects of my being.I have always had a very determined mind and spirit,which helped me survived my traumas.Through my life difficulties I have gained a lot of life experience and knowledge to share with the youth in the community.
I was watching Dr.Phil one day and he had a man named Fred Martin who was doing music and singing with the urban youth in California. When I saw this I knew that was it: the music, the creativity. Brainstorming and pen to paper created the AASK. I chose to work with youth ages 10-14. The young people are very vulnerable and impressionable, and very open to new ways of communication. I know that I struggled through this age and got involved with drugs, so I know how important this age is to reach and give some tools of self esteem, confidence, safety, a place and tools to help for the future. AASK is a place for youth to express their individuality through creative art and learn to appreciate the differences in others.
I chose to use music as the hook and catalyst for the youth to explore within themselves.The idea is to offer opportunity to receive hands on experience with acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, vocals, drums, drama and visual art to develop self esteem and confidence. I see the struggles of the youth today and I saw where I could give back and do my part in the community with our young people?
We are in our 5th year of growth and development. The Brantford Chapter is the flagship program, and continues to build a strong foundation for the Arts After School Kids Program. We are providing a model for success with the Brantford and beyond.
I believed the project is making a difference because youth are committed to the program during risk taking times of the day. This project gets students involved, committed, it is safe,consistent,and a fun program.We have students present art exhibits, perform and fundraise. Many parents have been pleasantly surprised when they realize that their child can sing, play an instrument or create artwork.Mr Vern Payne principal of Bellview a local school in 2007 loved the idea and support the inception.
I contacted the MPP for Brant, Dave Levac,a past educator was immediately on board with the project. Asking community members and networking with local business a 10 active volunteer Board membership is in place. 3 full time volunteers, 5 alumni students,along with a partnership with Laurier University and Mohawk College community learning programs choose AASK for a placement. The pilot project in 2007 had 18 of 22 students complete the full program. Today, we have 42 students participating and 10 alumni students returning from high school to acquire community hours. They still want to belong, and feel a part of this safe and secure adult-supervised organization. We also have a nutritional component; the students receive a snack at 3:30 and proceed to their art form of choice from 4:00-5:00 pm every Tuesday and Thursday during the school year. We will be implementing a March Break Camp and O. M. Smith School for a pilot and a full program will be operating at the first of five schools on Six Nations starting September 2012.
Arts After School Kids was the winner of the Shining Star award in Brantford under the new arts and culture category.
The organization has credited instructors teaching the students, all instructors, board members,and volunteers are required to submit a police check, we have a ratio of 1 adult per 4 students. The growth and development of the AASK organization is such an amazing experience and I can not imagine not being able to continue this work with the youth in not just our community but worldwide.This a very powerful time for change and it needs to begin in our own communities and beyond.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
Arts After School Kids is a charitable organization offers Free arts based programming that sparks the potential of youth ages 10-14 (grade 6-8).
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Expanding (it has been running for a while, has grown, you know it is making a difference and now you want to expand)
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
In the Brantford-Six Nations area, there in no other organization that offers these activities or programs. We began the programming in the Eagle Place neighbourhood of Brantford where there is a high number of Native Housing units. The 2001 census indicated that the socio-economic make-up of Eagle Place consists of a family poverty rate of 2%, dependence on Government income of 18%, low education of 11%, and lone parent families is 25%. That neighbourhood has only gotten worse in socio-economic standing since 2001.
o Students who graduate from the program have been telling us that they have been continuing with arts-based subject when entering high school. AASK offers skills to the students in leadership, team building, stage presence, and inclusiveness, which all work on the social asp
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
establish a community trust fund for the organization & expand to Six N
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
we will have a mentorship program with high school students mentoring AASK students.AASK -Brant will have a secure foundation and be assisting other communities to have AASK programs.Five schools on Six Nations Reserve operating within the framework of AASK Brant. AASK will out reach to schools in Brantford, Brant County and reservations beyond Six Nations.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
Arts After School Kids is lucky to have several community partners providing us with basic support. The City of Brantford has recently provided us with funding for the creation of a strategic plan for the next five years. Several Community Foundations have stepped up to provide funding for instructors, equipment, and community space. We have been been given opportunities by both The Station Gallery and the Glenhyrst Art Gallery to showcase the artwork that our youth have created. Each of these partners, as well as a handful of others, have provided us with the tools we need for the establishment of our program.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
The Brantford Jazz Festival has become part of our support system. They have provided us with funds for our operation, as well as tickets for jazz performances at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts. That has allowed us to take our students to concerts to give them more exposure to other artists.
Turkstra Lumber is a corporate business that supports the arts, and has invited AASK to share a presentation to the business. They are very important to the organization as we are looking for a parent sponsor. That consistent support each year will allow us to move forward with the creative side of the organization instead of forcing us to continue to search for money to allow for growth.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
Arts After School Kids receives donations of instruments from corporate businesses such as Long and McQuade music center, community members and local stores donate door prizes and raffle items. AASK receives donations from Habitat for Humanity Re Store, items for the visual art component that allow our youth opportunities for art creation. We were very fortunate to have a local restaurant, Urban Getaway, donate all of the food for our Breakfast with Santa fundraiser. Families have donated time to special events, Kiwanis donates time to fundraisers, and Wilfrid Laurier Students choose Arts After School Kids as their community organization to gain experience working with youth.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
Yes (answer the next two questions)
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| shinging_star_pics__mixed_pics_018.jpg | 1.15 MB |
 | 17 weeks agoGayle Myke updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoGayle Myke updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoGayle Myke updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoGayle Myke submitted this idea. |
