Community Stepping Stones

Description

In 1997 one half of the families in Sulphur Springs made less than $15,000/year, one third made less than $10,000 per capital income $10,549. The level of unemployment is tremendous. We have close to 3,000 children and one small official recreation facility which can handle 150-300 children and youth effectively. Our other major recreation facility is the streets. Streets that are dangerous from cars, drugs and prostitution. This translates to fewer models for long-term success. Through the arts we give them their own voice and means of positive exploration and release of feelings. With guidance, we give our youth the media, and they make the choices on how to use it. It wondrous to see the tremendous joy in their discovery of mixing colors and applying paint. Everything we do is based on the child's own exploration. This is what dictates our directions in order to help them find their voice and make their choices.

Through the arts, we change and save children and youth lives by helping them find, develop and respect their voice.