COMING OUT IN AUGUST 2009
“LET ME TELL YOU!”
A compilation of the talents and stories of twelve youth who signed up through DCFS to be a part of this first presentation of stories which will be seen and heard on stage. Come join us, sit back and open your hearts to feel the drama, laughter and enriching sounds and silhouettes of a foster child’s life.
`Still I Rise Program`
Our program develops a story of foster youth, one by one. These stories can then be “plugged” into a play written by Jeanette Hawes.
Objective: Give perspectives of what life is like, some of the obstacles, some joys, some fears, some real or fantasy- expressed through their words, seen and felt as they have lived it; to inspire hope in peers; to self correct and heal by opening up to share; to shed light on how best to offer care and understanding.
Professional presentations, which acknowledge the lives of youth growing up in foster care advocates and educates people to care and support these youth. We honor their courage to share inspiration that will educate society how and why support of these young people makes communities stronger.
Why Tell Your Story?
To make a difference, BECAUSE that's what you were born to do!
Win the recognition that you deserve for your ideas!
Be honored by your peers! By the community!
Lead the way, now that you have risen to new heights!
Because no matter what... you must believe... still I rise!
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?
“STILL I RISE®”
A Creative Arts Program for youth and young adults
A primary part of our commitment is to create a therapeutic milieu that will help build confidence and self-esteem “Still I Rise®” (S I R) uses performing and visual arts for individual expression. This program will:
- Express through performing and visual arts as youth share impacting stories about foster care as they see it
- Provide arts training working with volunteer professionals
- Encourage participants to embrace the arts and also enable them to express how they overcome challenges, achieve goals and pursue their dreams
- Serve as a model arts curriculum that can be replicated in other settings for foster youth
- Provide opportunities for agencies to network and demonstrate to youth a cohesive model of community working together
Goal:
- Present master classes to youth in writing stories, lyrics, essays
- Develop professional presentations of songs, dance, and instrumental
- Share information on copyright of original materials
- Publicize the creative works by providing live concerts
- Entrepreneurial direction
Our target population
YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE TODAY
THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN STORY, WRITE IT, SUBMIT IT TO THE
STILL I RISE® PROGRAM *
Email Submissions: SIR08program@yahoo.com
* Winning Selections:
- Receive cash awards
- To make commercials supporting peace not violence
- Be included in a documentary to heal communities
- For consideration in theatrical presentation
- Make commercials
- Participation in master classes and workshops
Story must be only 500 words
Must be original works
No profanity
No nudity or pornography
Go to libraryofcopyrights.com to protect your original songs
