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Northwest
Cambridge News
By ELIZABETH KLINE
April 1998
Off
the Streets, Into the Classroom
Drawing
Out the Best In People
"We wanted to give something to the community that has embraced
Bread & Circus so whole-heartedly," explained Sandra pultz,
Marketing Director in 1994 for the Fresh Pond store. With this motivation,
Bread & Circus became the first store to reach out to the residents
of the Fresh Pond Apartments by funding an arts and music after-school
program administered by the Boston Institute for Arts Therapy. Bread
& Circus responded immediately to Director Julie A. Crockford's
initiative and agreed to pay full costs for the first year, and half
of the program's costs in the second year. Since then, Bread &
Circus sponsors a 5 percent day in November, giving that percentage
tof the day's income for the Fresh Pond Apartments' program.
"My son loves to come here. He is so excited. He reminds me when
it is time to com," exclaimed Beatrice Bolgorio, mother of five
year old Jose Luis who participates in both the weekly art and music
programs.
Every Monday during the school year, two art classes are held in the
community room of the Fresh Pond Apartments. Gerarda T. Stanaszek,
the long-time art therapist works for the Boston Institute for Arts
Therapy and describes her philosophy on her business card -- "Drawing
out the best in people." While working with the youngsters, who
rang ein age from 5 to 11 years old. Ms. Stanaszek helps them build
self-confidence, learn self-respocet and respect for others, and see
themselves as part of a community. These messages are conveyed subtly
with words, such as "excellent...that looks awesome...now how
do you ask for a marker?" In watching the interactions among
the childre and with their techer, it is clear that fun group activity
is the heart of the art program. Yet, in the process the children
learn how to treat each other, how to cooperate on a group project
like designing and creating a mural, and how they fit into a larger
community of people.
The weekly music/movement classed held a the Fresh Pond Apartments
onThrusdays are also designed, according to Julie Crockford, to "provide
site-based programs" aimed at "instilling a sense of hope
fo rthe furture." The Boston Instiute for Arts Therapy was started
in 1982. In 1997, the Institute provided "expressive arts therapy
services" to approximately 1,400 childre, adults, and elders
at 64 sites in the Greater Boston area. Ms. Crockford says the advantage
of offering classes in housing sites like the Fresh Pond Apartments
is that "These kids are there. No one has to drive them places."
From the smiling faces, lively conversations, and decorated hats and
wall mural, this program is a success to these active young children
and to their visiting mothers.
The arts and music programs were designed with Donna Bronk, long-time
manager of the Fresh Pond Apartments. They respond to the needs of
a target group of residents who cannot provide structured afterschool
activities, often because the adults are working. More than 120 residents
of all ages are served by a variety of programs.
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Creative
Arts Therapy Programs...
Visual Art * Music * Dance * Drama
...That Can Make a World of Difference!
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Boston
Institute for Arts Therapy
"Drawing out
the best in people since 1982" |
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