Hello Atlanta artists! ChopArt is pleased to announce "SpringBoard", an art show on July 11th giving local artists the opportunity to showcase their art work and empower our youth. SpringBoard is one of the opening events of the 2013 Heritage Cultural Arts Festival and is one of a two-part series to bridge community gaps and uplift the homeless youth community. 

Participating artists play a major role in the positive development of our youth. Following the SpringBoard art show, selected artists will be paired with a youth for a short term (July 17th-31st) mentorship to help him/her work past the blank canvas and reach their finale product. 

If you are passionate about youth and passionate about art, please take out this time to support homeless youth!

Apply here

We're looking for art instructors for our upcoming Spring and Summer programming! If you are creative, proficient in the appropriate media of art, and a great teacher...we want you!

All instructors will lead their own class unit with 5-20 students. You will be responsible for ensuring students learn the concepts and techniques of your art media and that each student completes artwork.
A great candidate is outgoing and patient, has a teaching background, can dedicate themselves to the necessary class dates and times, and is an amazing artist!

Contact chopartinfo@gmail.com to apply!

Poetry Instructor:
Class Dates:
April Fridays:
4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26 from 5-7pm
April Saturdays:
4/6, 4/20 (opt.). 4/27

All volunteers are responsible for a background check.

Painting Instructor
Class Dates:
May Fridays:
5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24 from 5-7pm
May Saturdays:
5/4, 5/18 (opt.), 5/25 from 10am-12pm

All volunteers are responsible for a background check.

Photography/Film Instructor
Class Dates:
June Fridays:
6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 from 5-7pm
June Saturdays:
6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29 from 10am-12pm

All volunteers are responsible for a background check.

Last Monday, the youth at The Drake House created their own personal adaptations to the poem below, "Survival is Not". They highlighted the lines that meant the most to them and ended up with a phenomenal group piece.

Right after that, they created their own group piece before performing "Survival is Not" for their parents! You can catch their original poem at the end of this post. Don't forget to check out the blog of one of "Survival is Not""s co-authors, Alexis at brokenbeautiful.wordpress.com.

"Survival is Not"

Survival is not the death of me.

Survival is not the death of you.

And I wish people would stop making it so complicated.

Love is not an academic skill.

Listening is not an academic skill.

Liberation is not an academic skill.

Compassion is not an academic skill.

Care is not an academic skill.

Comradeship is not an academic skill.

Courage is not an academic skill.

Mindfulness is not an academic skill.

Humility is not an academic skill.

Self-correction is not an academic skill.

Feminism is not an academic skill.

Speaking truth to power is not an academic skill.

Visibility is not an academic skill.

Affirming the beauty of others is not an academic skill.

Honoring one another and our visions are not academic skills.

Ethics are not academic skills.

Trust is not an academic skill.

Trusting intuitive power and hope are not academic skills.

Nurturing spirit is not an academic skill.

Being human is not an academic skill.

Being yourself is not an academic skill.

Creating family is not an academic skill.

What our grandmothers taught us

and what we learn through the body are not academic skills.

Dancing is not an academic skill.

Making love is not an academic skill.

Snap.

Survival is not an optional skill.

Survival is not a game for pay.

Survival is not the illusion of safety.

Survival is not thinking we need to fit into boxes.

Survival is not becoming who you need me to be.

Survival is not holding our breath.

Survival is not made possible by overriding our bodies.

Survival is not possible without rest.

Survival is not scary when we know what we are living for.

Community is everything.

The Drake House's youth's original poem:

"Untitled"

Together we all reunite as one family.
To feel the warmth of someone's love touch your soul.
Beauty is within all of us.
Family is power
Power is strength
Strength is purpose
What we go through may be smooth or rough--
Yet through everything--
We hang tough.
A highway of different faces
A highway of old faces
and still the old ones are always there.

Immediate Need for Public Affairs Associate!

Public Affairs Associate

Job Description:
Seeking a Public Affairs Associate to lead marketing, development and relationship cultivation. This opportunity is an un-paid, one year opportunity offering an extraordinary chance to build your network while positively impacting the lives of others. To apply, email resume and cover letter to chopartinfo@gmail.com. Please see a listing of responsibilities below:

Marketing
-The public affairs associate pitches news, interview opportunities and upcoming event details directly to reporters and editors. He/she writes news releases and advisories for local, national and international media.
-Develops media kits, brochures, flyers and other informational marketing materials as needed

Development
-Leads fundraising opportunities including grant writing, donations, corporate sponsorship and in-kind partnerships.
-Plans events such as art showcases and major art shows

Relationship Cultivation
-Develops databases for all partners and supporters of ChopArt, produces strategy for cultivating relationships and improving relationship building activities
-Acts as main correspondence with in-kind partners including art supply stores, mentorship organizations and impact assessment firms

Supported by:

• ChopArt Board of Directors
• ChopArt Founder
• Periodic Volunteers
• Program Coordinator

Minimum Requirements:

1. Proficiency in computer programs including Microsoft Office and Adobe suites
2. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
3. Ability to commit minimum of 10 hours per week
4. Candidate must be located in or near Atlanta, Ga.
5. Majority of work will be performed remotely and so reliable computer/internet access is required
6. Occasional in person meetings will be scheduled based on needs of ChopArt—including event days

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Event planning
• Public relations writing
• Professional relationship management
• Exceptional customer service

Greetings ChopArt Family!

During my stay in South Africa I never expected to find my life changed so drastically. It was an honor working with economically disadvantaged youth who looked beyond their struggle to find how they can contribute to society in spite of their circumstances. These kids have taught me a great deal about myself and the integral role each person plays in uplifting their neighbors and inspired me to bring this spirit back to my own home.

ChopArt works with homeless middle and high school aged youth because they are within a critical point of development, in periods of angst they can often be misunderstood. It is crucial that they have an outlet of expression, mentorship, and support to ensure a successful transition into adulthood. When they are in a homeless shelter their parental support is often times so emotionally drained they end up taking on the roles and burdens of being parents for themselves. In the midst of missing out on their childhood their visions of the future become marred with their current circumstance and they often fall into the realms of generational poverty. I’ve come across so many youth who were reluctant to express their visions, dreams, and aspirations because their vision only spawned as far their reality. They often wondered who even had the time to listen to their stories of hope or cared enough to expose them to greater realities. At ChopArt, we provide a space for these youth to express their visions, dreams, and aspirations. We provide these youth with an opportunity for refuge as they navigate through their circumstances. Self-expression through art is therapeutic; it’s a portal for enlightenment and an opportunity to express oneself in spite of circumstances, challenges, or socio-economic background.

It is truly a pleasure to work with these youth! They are amazing and I look forward to ChopArt’s development as we strive to touch the lives of 500 youth in the next five years.


Sincerely,
Malika Whitley

When Coretta Scott King was asked about how the world should remember her husband's, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., life she told the world to celebrate through service. Since then, we have pulled together on each MLK Day of service to remember the dream that has changed countless lives.

ChopArt celebrates King's legacy through our daily service. We are eager to fulfill his dream of human equality by impacting and strengthening the lives of homeless youth. Our youth are so incredible, they are so extraordinary! They defy stereotypes, have gone onto college, found a space to heal in and look to encourage others. We feel so priveledged to share time with these young people.

Dr. King's life was about not only a day of service, but a life of service! As we continue placing a priority on these ideals each year, we help bring his dream to fruition. We encourage you to continue your service beyond the restraints of these 24 hours! ChopArt has 2 year-long volunteer opportunities available and we'd love to have you. To help us to continue our service, please send your resume and cover letter to our general email address. Thank you!

Administrative

The Administrative intern will primarily support ChopArt's founder and team in the daily operations, program development, fundraising and relationship building. A successful Administrative intern will be self-driven, a quick, critical and creative thinker, detail oriented and dedicated to fulfilling ChopArt's mission.

Roles include:

• Developing a strategic partnership database and a strategy for forging and cultivating relationships.
• Create a communications strategy and schedule.
• Support Development intern in fundraising efforts including event coordination and production.
  
• This opportunity requires a 1 year, 10 hour per week commitment.
  chopartinfo@gmail.com
  
  
  Development
  
  The Development intern will be responsible for fundraising and relationship development initiatives through the coordination and production of signature events and campaigns. A successful Development intern will have great people skills, a background in fundraising and great initiative.
  
  Roles include:
  
• Creating and maintaining a potential and current donor database.
• Coordinating and producing signature events and campaigns and creating new fundraising/cost-cutting opportunities.
• Maintain and build relationships.
• Apply for grants and other major funding.
  
• This opportunity requires a 1 year and 10 hour per week commitment.
  chopartinfo@gmail.com