Unit 5

We are thrilled to offer a Theater Arts Program for 30 teens who reside in the Chicago area. This program is going to be offered by our agency, the ABC Center for Families, which offers the most interesting, well attended, and fantastic programs to children, teens, and their families. The Theater Arts Program is for bad teens that have gotten into trouble at home and/or in school. The teens who participate in this cutting-edge program are going to be taught acting skills by some of the most wonderful individuals in the field of acting who are qualified to teach different techniques. Since many school districts across the country are making unnecessary and awful cuts to arts programs, this program is one that will bring the arts back to the Chicago community.

The Theater Arts Program is going to occur as an after-school program running from 3-6 pm. The program will start at the beginning of the school year, and run through the end of the school year. We are hoping that at the end of the program, the teens will behave better at home and/or at school. We will be running The Theater Arts Program out of the ABC Center for Families Main Building. $15,000 should be enough money to cover all of the required components of this program.

There are numerous people on staff who are going to be helping the teens. Teens usually need a great deal of support and our program will definitely offer many adults who are qualified to help them with whatever issues they might be having. We are sure that the teens will have better behavior after the program, and we know they will like acting with their peers.

Program Summary 2. The Theater Arts Program at the ABC Center for Families

The ABC Center for Families, a nonprofit agency serving families in the Chicago area, is requesting $15,000 for a new Theater Arts Program. The program is designed to assist thirty adolescents between the ages of fourteen and eighteen who have exhibited behavioral issues at home and/or in high school. The Director of the ABC Center for Families will recruit adolescents who have been identified by parents, teachers, and other school personnel, as having demonstrated behavioral issues such as fighting with peers, disrespecting others, and failing at least two classes.

The main goal of the Theater Arts Program is to decrease behavioral issues at home and/or at school with an overall result of increasing high school graduation rates among participants of the program. The objectives of the Theater Arts Program include an increase in self-esteem, social support from peers, and respect for others. Self-esteem, social support, and respect for others will be measured by administering pre and post tests at the start and end of the program.

Adolescents who participate in the program will be taught acting skills, and will participate in discussions and activities related to self-esteem, social support, and respect. The program will operate Monday through Friday 3-6 pm from August 30th through June 1st. All activities will occur at the ABC Center for Families Main Building. Staff will include Performing Arts professionals, a Program Manager, and two licensed Social Workers who will be assisting adolescents with increasing their self-esteem, social skills, and respect for others.