Rise and Shine

Mission:

Provide opportunities for youth affected by poverty to access the arts (dance, music, theater, painting, etc.), in order to build both meaningful exposure and lasting community relationships.

Vision:

Rise and Shine will serve children in the Humboldt County area spanning infants through high school graduation. The project will provide sponsorships for class terms or one-on-one lessons, as well as required supplies for students to participate in their enrollment of choice (i.e. leotard and ballet slippers or an instrument). A priority of this initiative would be to partner with local artists that will have a lasting relationship with Rise and Shine, so the project can provide a list of recommended musicians, studios, and teachers. This will establish a network within our community and open the lines of communication and satisfaction from both parties.

Infants and parents can participate in the wonderful experience of parent-child classes, whereas older children can indicate their primary choices (choice is important for children!). Rise and Shine will take on the registration/ preparation to ensure the child’s success, but also involve the child and parent as much as they are comfortable. We will also verify parent’s commitment.

An important component of this project is the healing that will take place in light of the pandemic. Many children have spent months in isolation and this project will aid in social-emotional wellbeing, community relationships, and confidence. Additionally, the relationships children and parents will make can potentially result in a ripple effect that extends long into life. Rise and Shine will also support local artists as they begin to reopen their businesses and offerings. We do not know how long the pandemic will last or the way that schools will look in the fall, so this opportunity would be a way for our community to begin healing.

Finally, the name Rise and Shine is in honor of the overall vision for this project -- for youth affected by poverty to be provided an opportunity that is generally only accessible for children with more economic privilege. It also aims to give them the chance to shine within our community and showcase their involvement in the arts through recitals, performances, and galleries. These are beautiful opportunities for our children that can teach them coping skills, self-expression, new skills, social-emotional growth, positive child-adult relationships, and how to persevere through challenges.

Contact: Holly McLaughlin

Email: riseandshine@inkpeople.org