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September 3, 2005
Another two months have gone by, and things at Elementz are heating up daily. We are truly becoming a hub for activity, discussion, and collaboration that is clearly needed in Cincinnati. We're also garnering national attention, and in the process learning in major ways from people all across the United States. As usual, I’ll do my best to highlight the best new developments at Elementz, and let you know how you can get involved and help us keep this momentum going. In this update, I’ll be focusing on 1) new financial support, 2) programming expansion and collaboration, and 3) volunteer/wish list needs. But be sure to check out all of our great new pictures here, and let us know what you think of our new site (www.natiyouthcenter.org). First, we’ve received word in the past week that the Fine Arts Fund has given us $4,000 to start our graffiti art class! We’re talking with artists now, and will be rolling out this new class offering starting this fall. We also have proposals pending with the Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation, Jergens Foundation, and the Jack J. Smith, Jr. Charitable Trust, have been invited to submit a 2nd proposal to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation this fall, and are exploring several other exciting opportunities. We expect our budget to double in 2006, and we’re moving confidently from the infancy stages to sustainability and long term strategic planning. We’re pushing hard right now to get our currently unpaid staff into a stipend payment system that will increase consistency and accountability and enable us to provide better services on a day-to-day basis. With 75 14-24 year olds coming to Elementz every day we’re open, there is a real need to solidify our staff and grow healthily. Second, we’re rolling out new programming to complement our current hip hop dance, modeling, and djing classes, as well as our professional quality recording studio. Along with our new graffiti art class, we’re also planning on adding at least two other new classes in late 2005 and early 2006. In addition to our own programming, we’re also helping to facilitate some other innovative work. Local documentary makers have received funding to give youth from the inner city video cameras and then to film a problem, a solution, and beauty. Four young people from Elementz have been chosen to participate in this project, and will begin filming this month. We will also be screening a local filmmaker’s work about the riots at the end of this month, and will be starting a film series every other week in late October (look for info in upcoming emails). A youth focused mayoral candidates forum is in the works, and several other collaborative possibilities are being explored both locally and nationally as I write. Third, we’re putting a call out for new volunteer support and wish list giving to help us realize our goals of growing steadily to meet the needs of the young community. Please check out our full wish lists here, but we’d like to highlight a few of our new and growing needs.
Overall, things at Elementz are truly cruising along. Statistics from our quarterly surveys tell us that over 60% of youth come every day we’re open, and over 65% come from “downtown,” with nearly 30 of the other 35% coming from “empowerment zone” neighborhoods. What this tells us is that we are doing a fantastic job of fulfilling our mission to create a safe space for 14-24 year olds who either live in or come “downtown” to have access to hip hop based resources. We’re truly creating a community of youth that need a place to go! Please come down and check us out! To see Elementz is to believe it. The energy is something else, and we know you’ll be excited with us. As always, consider contributing to our work by clicking here, or sending us a check to the address below. Thanks for your continued support, we hope to see you soon! Peace, Gavin Leonard Director @ Elementz: The Hip Hop Youth Arts Center 513.721.5800 work 513.266.1508 cell gavin.youthcenter@fuse.net
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