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May 2011 News
For the past two summers Chameleon has asked its family of supporters to help fund summer youth development programs for homeless, at-risk, and adjudicated urban youth in Kansas City. The importance of these programs cannot be underestimated. Four years ago a homeless student, Jamekia Prater, was washing up in the bathrooms of Wyandotte High School before attending class. Her only support system was the Office of Homeless Liaison and Chameleon Arts & Youth Development. On May 11, 2011 Jamekia graduated from the School of Arts and Science at Drake University. She writes:
“You believed in me when it seemed like the whole world had turned its back on me. Now thanks to every one of you I am graduating from college!”
Jamekia is only one of hundreds of disadvantaged children Chameleon has helped get through school, avoid drugs and violence, and become role models in their communities. For children who have fallen into self-destructive patterns of behavior, Chameleon has provided a pathway for success in school and life through arts programming for adjudicated youth for over 20 years. None of this would be possible without the support of our partners—the Office of Homeless Liaison, Jackson County Family Court, Rose Brook Domestic Shelter, and the KCMO school district.
This summer Chameleon will be working with a new partner, KC Urban Youth Center at 27th and Troost to provide arts programming for 60 children. The children will work on reading and academics in the morning and arts in the afternoon.
We are seeking funding to provide 7 weeks of programming with KC Urban Youth Center and 8 weeks of programming with the Jackson County Family Court Detention Center. $2000 will fund multiple days of nationally regarded, award-winning arts and creative programming that reinforces academic skill, reaching well over 200 young people. The $2000 will be matched by funding from the Francis Families Foundation and R.A. Long Foundation.
We thank all of you for past support, and we look forward to discussing this year’s summer programming with you.
Hugh Merrill, Community Arts Director
Chameleon Arts & Youth Development
4016 Oak Street
KCMO 64111
www.chameleon-ayd.org
hughmerr@hotmail.com
816-686-8626