6/1/09-The Do Something grant allowed me to purchase general supplies such as signs, markers, balloons, plates, utensils etc without having to tap into money allotted towards PNOLA's rebuilding efforts. Furthermore, it funded entertainment for the fair that ultimately would have been impossible otherwise: with the grant, we were able to use 250$ towards entertainment including a brass band performance and storytelling.
Mid-City Kids Fair
Submitted by Allison034 on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 11:37
the problem:
Mid-City is a neighborhood of New Orleans that was heavily affected by Hurricane Katrina. In the middle of the city, Mid-City is in what might be described as the bowl of New Orleans. The entire neighborhood flooded, parts of which received more than 7 feet of water. The neighborhood is slowly recovering: of the 6,634 residents of Mid-City in June of 2005, approximately 4,652 people have returned, almost 70% of the original population. Despite the number of families who have returned, the neighborhood still remains littered with abandoned lots, blighted houses, and poor infrastructure including a lack of grocery stores, schools and poor roads. Many of the families of Mid-City have children and many schools have yet to be rebuilt and re-open. This poses a number of problems not only for Mid-City, but the entire city of New Orleans: the lack of the redevelopment of schools prevents many families from returning while the kids that have returned are in overcrowded schools. Of the 66,372 kids enrolled in the New Orleans Public School system in the 2004-05 school year, only 35,955 had returned as of October 2008. The kids of Mid-City and New Orleans need something to do, they need something educational and interactive to help the community recover on another level: now that some families have returned, they need educational and interactive activities to engage their children.
vital stats:
people impacted:
300people involved:
30why it's important:
I plan on coordinating a Kids Fair in Mid-City. I have already reserved a space at the Sojourner Truth Community Center which used to cater to the community at the Lafitte Projects across the street, but they have been demolished following Katrina. The location is important for a number of reasons: it will be in the Mid-City neighborhood and will engage displaced residents of the Lafitte projects, reconnecting them with their neighborhood. I hope to get a number of service and kid organizations involved in the project including City Year, Literacy Americorps, Hands On New Orleans, the YMCA, KidsmART, the Boys and Girls Club, cultural organizations and the non-profit I work for, The Phoenix of New Orleans. The Kids Fair will be eclectic, bringing together cultural activities and exhibits to teach the children of New Orleans about their own rich cultural heritage, interactive, creative and hands on activities, promote literacy through the distribution of book donations and educational activities on the importance of being environmentally friendly.
the plan of action:
I have already contacted a number of organizations that have expressed interested in getting involved including the YMCA, KidsmART, Hands On New Orleans, City Year and Literacy Americorps. The date is set for May 16, 2009 at the Sojourner Truth Community Center. I have a number of organizations and people who have volunteered to distribute information to local schools, teachers and children as well as people to volunteer at the Fair. Scores of people have expressed interest and excitement about the Kids Fair.
how you can get involved:
I am looking for volunteers to man the Kids Fair, to recruit kids to attend and distribute information about the Kids Fair. I am looking for local organizations that are interested in participating in the Kids Fair in a variety of capacities: I would love to have more organizations plan and organize activities, exhibits and crafts for the children. Lastly, I am looking for donations: craft supplies, books, food/snacks, and money are all in need to get the Kids Fair off of the ground. There are a number of things that need to be provided and right now, there is no money, including security, food and general supplies.
project updates:
06/16/2009
Related Projects
Related Guides
Tips and Tools:
Meet Do Something Awards Semi-Finalist Sarah Geller
Sarah Geller started Arts Education International...
