O.C. CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 7 - 2006

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The Sanla Ana \\orkfortT Investment B"'HrdfYouth Council The Youth Service Provider Network ,RFP 2005f2(W6 Orange Count)' Children's Therapeunle Arts Center Expe,ricnce llricfh outline all youth programs that YOU!' agency has ope-ated dUI'ing the last 2 )'ears. Six dzvs per week we offer a wide variety of classes (arts. literacy. technology, parenting. and family counseling). All of our programs aim at accelerating student learming, empowering families of limit~d resources. helping youtb build scll~esteem and develop leadership' skills in our community. Every semeS1C.er we offer approximately 50 classes during our After-scb(l)ol program six days per week. During tbe pas! four and a half years of operation. a lot of time ha..s been .:;pent in acquiring some comm;.mication and tecbnology resources. We established a new 'multimedia arts lab with high speed lnternel access for our youch. a'1d now have Internet aeces;. for tht:. staff, an email address fur the center. and a ,Jew Websitel Tbis tecbnology has made the organization rmnction more effectively and has served to demonstrate the steady growth and sustainability of the Center. In addition, OCCT AC has forged strong. long-term relationships and contracts with commumity partners such as: Santa Ana Unified School District (for music therapy): the Santa Ana Colle",e (for parenting classes), the Co,unty of Orange, Social Services department for family coumseling and parenting classes; and Chapman University. the Santa Ana College and Cal State Fullemon for homework support. \\ hid have been most su",,(',,1ul') All of our programs are sm::cessfull Q The f,~,Uowing is a remarkable case study of an at-risk youth thm has been involved in our after-school progr3IIlS for close to 5 years at the OCC1 AC. These activities :nave given her a great sense of accomplishment, enhanced her self-esteem and confidence. boomed her academic development, and most importantly, kept her away from negative activity or influences. such as teen pregnancy, drugs, etc. \1.. Came to our Center approxinlately 5 years ago when 0<= 'CTAC opened its doors to.the cOIlliDunity. M. was identified as an at -risk youth because of the nigh risk factors that were observed in her t2:mily (domestic violence and drug abuse). M. emoUed in se"veral classes (choir. dance. art, piano and flute) during the flISt year at our Center, and we also provided her with tutors during the week for homeoNork and literacy. She excelled in all classes. and by the e:nd of the flIst year at OCCTAC she had b,~en the most accomplished student at our Center. At our \i~f\' 1st Holiday Concert she performed Flute 3I1d Piano Solos for the families at the Center. We were ali very proud of her accomplishments in such c. short period of time. Most importantly, her mother comm,ented on how her academic grades had imprcved so drastically. as well as her self-confidence. During "i"ars two and three at our Center M. learned to play other new instruments (guitar. violin and ha,--p;. ~: she continued to leam her previous ones piano. and f1ute). This past summer M. graduated with n..:mors and was the received a Valecictorian Medal. including honors in math, science and mlLilc'jl Furthermore. she auditioned to enter into the Orange County High School of the Arts, and was .,,,,cently accepted. M. is one of OCC::-AC stars and we are yen proud to have been part of her iJjc. M. and her family continue to come 10 the Center to receive music instruction. family counsdimg 8:. parenting classes. \Vh:d.: kind of rxpf..Tien(T do ~'()U havt' in incorporatin~ p;ircn;~c, into ~'our progntIns'.) Our agency has b~.en very successfl1l1Jl providing conm1unity outreac11 anc T3rent invoJven1en1. \\.le ha\'e estab,-:shed a community network that helps foster our mission. and provide opportunities to serve man' families. Parent invol vement. participation and education "a critical aspect of our mission. The c.enter bas five years of experience in working with the 1'"""nt5 and their children. We have an 3cti,,' parenting comminee. and a parent representative on the E""lfd of Directo'rsl \\h~c is your succt" "",cJ 0"" Academic and artistic accomDliJshments of the students; leadership skills ",f students and parents: grov.1h of our organization: and the quality and level of services that we C2-1 pro~'ide our comn1unity.