Harlem's OSCAR & GRAMMY nominated youth group IMPACT Repertory Theatre Provides Summer Virtual Youth Arts Workshops in Harlem
IMPACT, in Harlem, goes virtual this summer, with its innovative youth performing arts program,combining training in the creative arts -spoken word, musical theater, dance, poetry, and song-writing.
Leader
Mary Jane Marcasiano
Location
229 W 135th St New York , NY 10030
About the project
Harlem's OSCAR & GRAMMY nominated youth group IMPACT Repertory Theatre is year-round, out-of-school time program that meets for 14 hours a week, including 6 hours on Saturdays. Five of these hours are spent at on academic enrichment: youth complete school assignments and receive homework help and grade and subject-specific tutoring. Classes in a range of performing arts mediums (dance, voice, poetry and song writing, choreography, and spoken word) are led by IMPACT staff, volunteer professionals in the arts (several of whom are IMPACT alumnae), and senior-level youth participants. Life skills workshops, leadership training, community service projects and prevention counseling are also regular components of the program. Youths receive hot meals while attending sessions and are educated on nutrition.
Normally we hold out weekday sessions at IMPACT’s space on West 135th street and Saturdays at Columbia University’s Prentis Hall but during the current COVID -19 crisis we have moved our sessions to an online platform and all our contact with our youth is now via phone or online.
The funds raised will be used to ensure we have enough available staff to run programs and to stay in touch individually with students for tutoring and counseling needs.
The Steps
IMPACT is gearing up to provide our normal services on line. In order to do this we need to have enough staff and enough computer equipment available for them to launch and run the workshops on line
Why we‘re doing it
During the COVOD-19 crisis it is essential for IMPACT Repertory Theatre to maintain its programs for young people of color, ages 12 to 19, in underserved communities in Harlem and the Bronx. The young people with whom we work normally face myriad challenges to their healthy development including; poverty, failing schools, violence in their homes and neighborhoods, high unemployment among youth of color, substance use, housing instability, and institutional racism, sexism and heterosexism. These needs are not reduced but amplified during the COVID-19 crisis. With parks and recereational facilities closed, we need to provide healthy option for our youth.