VIERA, FL (01/08/2019) – The Brevard Schools Foundation is the recipient of a $39,000 continuation grant from the Heineman Foundation. The Foundation has selected Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) to administer the grant to continue serving at-risk youth in Brevard County. “Art Beyond Boundaries” pairs boys at Melbourne Center for Personal Growth with high school students with disabilities. These students will work together to cultivate and add artistic enhancements to a community garden project that commenced in March 2018.
The program allows at-risk youth to gain a set of skills and experiences that help them develop into successful and contributing adults, identify careers, and explore healthy outlets for expression. The youth are participating in artist residency projects jointly with high school students with disabilities who participate in Florida High School High Tech (HSHT) program funded by the Able Trust at Heritage High School in Palm Bay. This is the 2nd year BCA has been selected to implement the “Art Beyond Boundaries” program.
“The new series of learning sessions focuses on creating a wheelchair accessible path for the community garden as well as artistic pieces like walking path mosaics,” said Pablo Remonsellez, BCA’s Education and Community Arts Manager. “Instruction is being provided by two professional teaching artists who have been part BCA’s Artist in Residence team for several years, Betsy Heath and Hassan Patterson.”
“We are proud to engage at-risk boys in a project that allows them to learn content and skills, plus offers the chance for them to build relationships with their peers with disabilities,” said Janice Kershaw, President and CEO of Brevard Schools Foundation.
When surveyed, 100% of the participants in this program reported an increase in their confidence and expressed excitement to have the opportunity to give back to the community. A total of 30 students had the opportunity to participate in the program.
The Heineman Foundation is a 501(c)(3), founded in 1948. The organization provides grants to support innovative projects through established nonprofits across the country. To learn more, visit www.heinemanfoundation.org.
About Brevard Cultural Alliance Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) is the professional organization representing the arts and cultural sector in Brevard County, Florida. BCA’s strategic focus is to advance Brevard County as a cultural destination, enhance educational opportunities through engagement with the arts and bolster the sustainability of the cultural community. BCA is supported in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Brevard Board of County Commissioners, the Space Coast Office of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit ArtsBrevard.org or follow BCA on Facebook (Arts Brevard) or Twitter (@ArtsBrevard).
About Brevard Schools Foundation Brevard Schools Foundation helps fill educational funding and opportunity gaps at all of the district’s 83 public schools for its 74,000 students and 5,000 teachers by supporting innovation, engaging communities, and changing lives. Funds come from private contributions, corporate support, public matching funds, fundraising and endowments. The Brevard Schools Foundation is nationally ranked for its role in supporting public education in Brevard County.