Please consider supporting our Youth Outreach programs!

YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT FOR 1 OR MORE KIDS IN CENTRE WELLINGTON! 

OUR PROGRAMS: Youth sense of belonging and resilience have been rocked by the pandemic. Our Youth Outreach programs are designed to harness the power of community, creativity and art to teach valuable life skills. Your generosity could sponsor 1 kid, 2 kids or a full class of kids!

OUR GOAL: We can’t run these youth programs without your help!  On Giving Tuesday, our community pledged to support 179 kids in our outreach programs – allowing us to run the programs for a session in the new year!  You can still support a kid, and help us add a day, week or month to these valuable outreach programs in 2023!!  Every bit helps!

Even before the pandemic, less than half of students in Centre Wellington reported feeling a sense of belonging to their community, and this gap is growing. The creative process allows us to meet youth where they’re at and give them a safe space to express themselves. In art, there is no wrong answer.

Youth Outreach programs at ECFTA serve kids with added obstacles: elementary and high school students with (dis)Abilities, teens recovering from addiction, and tweens looking to find their place in the world. Our goal is to address their severed connection with community, utilizing the creative process to talk about feelings management, teamwork, resilience, emotional expression and human connection.

YOU CAN BRING ART AND HEALING INTO THE LIVES OF KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Support 1 kid for 1 class, 2 kids for 1 class or a full class of kids!

1. High School & Elementary Students with (dis)Abilibities: Community Connections Through Art

This program connects Centre Wellington students with (dis)abiities to important community conversations, using art projects as the conduit for connection, personal well-being, belonging and mental health support. Projects emphasize collaboration and success through personal artistic expression. This is a bi-weekly program within the schools.

1 kid, 1 class = $25 | 2 kids, 1 class = $50 | 1 full class of kids = $550

2. The Nest! After School Program for Tweens

This program supports tweens age 10+ seeking to re-engage and re-connect with their peers in a safe, creative and nurturing space. This social “maker space” encourages community building, collaboration and creativity. Sessions are gently guided, allowing for free flow of thoughts and ideas. Arts Centre facilitators provide supervision, gently guided creative projects and support in this open flow, gender diverse program. This is a weekly program.

1 kid, 1 class = $30 | 2 kids, 1 class = $60 | 1 full class of kids = $550

3. Youth Addiction & Recovery Program: The Healing Power of Art and Creative Expression

In partnership with Portage Ontario, this program incorporates art and creative expression as the conduit for acceptance, sharing and healing. It allows for emotional exploration, coping strategies and discussions about the challenges of recovery. Run by Arts Centre educators, engagement facilitators and a social worker. Each session is 6 weeks, run twice weekly at the Arts Centre.

1 kid, 1 class = $45 | 2 kids, 1 class = $90 | 1 full class of kids = $400

HOW TO GIVE: 3 EASY OPTIONS

There are three easy options for giving:

• Donate on-line to our Giving Tuesday campaign through Canada Helps at CanadaHelps.org

• e-transfer to admin@ecfta.ca (please fill out the e-transfer form below before you email your donation)
• Stop by or call our office and we can help with the details (visa, mastercard, cheque) 519-846-9698 or email admin@ecfta.ca

The Elora Centre for the Arts is an independently owned, Registered Charitable Organization.

Charitable Registration Number: 86123 1314 RR0001

Our mission is to develop and strengthen a non-profit arts and cultural centre that promotes, teaches and nourishes the creation and appreciation of the arts through educational programs, exhibitions, rehearsals and performances that are accessible to everyone.

Please contact us if you have any questions.  519-846-9698 or email: admin@ecfta.ca