Introduction
Purpose or Rationale for Project: Why is it needed?
Adolescents, who live in the inner cities, often feel marginalized and alienated because they do not always have the opportunity to display and develop their creative talents (Sheley 195). Moreover, many of them do not feel any attachment to the community in which they live.
To some degree, this project is aimed at addressing these problems. In particular, it is supposed to enable these young people to learn more about the history of LeDroit Park which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington, DC (Brown 203). Additionally, it is important to assist the participants in practicing sculpting, painting, and sketching.
Overall, these creative activities can be important for increasing the self-esteem of these adolescents (Hota 83; Dickey 269). It should be noted that people, who will implement this program, have experience in different fields.
In particular, one should speak about such aspects as education, implementation of art project, and business administration. Furthermore, the team will interact with public organizations located in LeDroit Park. For instance, one can mention the Historic Society of Washington which can help the participants learn more about the history of this community.
Statement of Problems and Objectives
The main problem is that the adolescents living in LeDroit Park do not much attachment to the development of the neighborhood. Additionally, these people believe that they have few opportunities for personal development. Therefore, it is important to attain the following objectives: 1) to advance the creative skills of the participants by teaching them painting, sculpting, and sketching; 2) to promote their sense of pride in LeDroit Park by helping them discover the history of the neighborhood.
Background of the Community
It should be mentioned that LeDroit Park was established in 1873. In particular, the significant role was played by the entrepreneur Amzi Barber (Smith 7). At the beginning, it was a predominately white neighborhood, but the situation changed in the first half of the twentieth century. In particular, LeDroit Park began to be associated with the prominent representatives of the African-American community such as Oscar De Priest who was the first black congressman (Haizlip 83; Savage 141).
Description of Community
Currently, the population of LeDroit Park numbers 41,276 people. They represent different cultural, religious, and racial groups. There are 700 hundred buildings in this neighborhood. It should be noted that this neighborhood retains 50 houses which were constructed at the end of the nineteenth century. Yet, the majority of houses were constructed much later.
The neighborhood is adversely affected by crime. For instance, it is possible to mention that the rate of violent crimes is higher than the average in Washington (“Ledroit Park, Washington crime information”). Similar trend can be observed if one examines the rates of property crimes (“Ledroit Park, Washington crime information”). Additionally, one should keep in mind more than approximately seventy percent of adults living in the neighborhood have a college degree.
There are 17,854 households in LeDroit Park. In turn, there are 3,004 households with children (“Le Droit Park”). It is important to mention that African Americans comprise the majority of the population (“Ledroit Park, Washington demographics profile”). Yet, this neighborhood is inhabited by the representatives of other racial groups such Caucasians, Asians, and Native Americans (“Ledroit Park, Washington demographics profile”).
There are no diseases that are typical of this specific neighborhood. Nevertheless, one should mention that the life expectancy in this neighborhood is lower than the average index across Washington.
Statement of Needs to be Served
This project is supposed to serve the developmental needs of adolescents living in the neighborhoods. In particular, one can speak about the necessity to develop their creativity. Apart from that, it is critical to promote their attachment to the community in which they live.
Characteristics of the target population
This program will be designed for the need of adolescents aged between 13 and 15. They can be both males and females. Furthermore, it is necessary to focus on teenagers who take interest in art and history. The preference should be given to the participants living in LeDroit Park or neighboring communities.
Detailed Budget
The budget of this program should be at most $ 20.000. In particular, it will be necessary to employ 7 employees who will ensure effective implementation of this program. Their weakly compensation will range from $100 to $300. In total, the labor expenses will not exceed $ 6000 program.
One should keep in mind that the professionals, who agree to take part in this program, agree to work almost on a volunteer basis; this is why their compensation will be relatively low. Apart from that, it will be necessary to spend money on the procurements of materials which are needed for painting, sketching, and sculpting. Therefore, the organizers will require $ 1500. Additionally, it will be important to spend $2000 in order to provide meals and transportation services to the participants.
Furthermore, the organizers will require to $ 2000 for arranging trips around LeDroit Park. Finally, the administrators will have to rent a facility where children will be able to practice various artistic activities. Therefore, the group will require $ 3000. These are the main expenses that can be identified.
Staffing
The program will require seven professionals who will perform different tasks. It is possible to distinguish the following participants:
- The licensed accountant who will be responsible for maintaining and recording cash flows.
- The artistic director who has a background business administration and art. This person should plan the creative activities of people. Moreover, he/she should be familiar with LeDroit Park and its history.
- It will also be necessary to hire two instructors who have relevant experience in teaching art.
- Security officer who will make sure that the facility is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. This person will also provide janitorial services.
- Receptionist who will interact with the participants and their parents.
- Bus driver.
These people will be able to attain the goals that were initially identified.
Collaborations with Community Groups, Businesses, Organizations, Churches, Non-Profits.
While implementing this program, the group will interact with various organizations located in the city. In particular, one should mention the Historic Society of Washington. The representatives of this agency will help us organize the trips around the neighborhood. Additionally, it is important to mention the partnership with the Washington Teacher’s Association.
This agency will assist the group in choose the most appropriate instructional materials. Additionally, one can mention the partnership with local entrepreneurs who will assist the organizers in finding the facilities. On the whole, these partnerships will ensure effective implementation of this program.
Works Cited
Brown, Jules. Washington, Washington: Rough Guides, 2002. Print.
Dickey, Jeff. The Rough Guide to Washington, New York: Penguin, 2011. Print.
Haizlip, Shirlee. Sweeter the Juice: A Family Memoir in Black and White, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995. Print.
Hota, Ashok. Creativity-Cultural Perspective, New York: Discovery Publishing House, 2003. Print.
“Le Droit Park.” Point 2 Homes, n. d. Web.
“Ledroit Park, Washington demographics profile.” Areavibes, n. d. Web.
“Ledroit Park, Washington crime information.” Areavibes, n. d. Web.
Savage, Beth. African American Historic Places, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1994. Print.
Sheley, Joseph. In the Line of Fire: Youths, Guns, and Violence in Urban America, New York: Transaction Publishers, 1995. Print.
Smith, Kathryn. Washington at Home: An Illustrated History of Neighborhoods in the Nation’s Capital, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010. Print.