(above) EKO’s IMPROV’ing Students Program was held in Fall 2019 at the Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre.
Empowering Kids Organization Receives $24,000 Grant
Submitted by Paola Acosta
Empowering Kids Organization (EKO) celebrated its first year of existence by receiving a generous grant of $24,000 from Summit’s Central Presbyterian Church (CPC). This grant will be used to expand EKO’s English as a second language after-school program to Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School (LCJSMS) students, in addition to offering the program to Summit High School (SHS) students for the second time next year. EKO is extremely grateful for the continued support of CPC and is currently working on adjusting its programs to the current situation.
During last fall and following its mission, EKO started collaborating with local organizations offering three new programs. These cultural enrichment programs were specifically tailored to include English Language Learners (ELL). EKO’s Fall into Art 2019 season included:
IMPROV’ing Students programs:
Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre opened its doors to give ELL students the opportunity to participate in two comic improvisation programs. Younger LCJSMS students participated in an 8-week improv class to help them develop collaboration, creativity, and public speaking abilities, while SHS students attended a two-day workshop, where they learned how to incorporate important elements of storytelling to express their ideas faster and with confidence. Both programs were funded by the Provident Bank Foundation via a Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre grant.
Outreach Art Program:
In partnership with the Visual Arts Center of NJ (VAC-NJ), ELL students from LCJSMS and SHS participated in an outreach initiative to engage immigrant and native-born linguistic minority students to build English-language skills. By implementing lessons in connection with the VAC-NJ contemporary art exhibitions, students had the opportunity to repeatedly visit the Visual Arts Center’s galleries in order to create art projects based on ideas and themes from current exhibitions, a great experience to deepen their knowledge and understanding of contemporary art while improving their English communication skills. This program was funded with the generosity of The Summit Foundation via a VAC-NJ grant.
(above) EKO’s Outreach Art Program was held in Fall 2019 at the Visual Arts Center of NJ.
