A grant from the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area will support "Adventures in Fine Arts" for the Children's After School Achievement (CASA) Program at Hope College as it works with elementary-age students during the 1997-98 school year.

"The purpose of the project is to give the
students the opportunity to observe and participate in the
arts as a part of their educational and cultural
experience," said Connie Brummel, director of CASA.

The $3,500 grant provides a major expansion of
CASA's cultural enrichment activities, according to Brummel.
CASA's 10th year will begin in mid-September, with 90
students from the Holland area participating.

CASA runs year-round, providing substance abuse
prevention, cultural awareness, academic and career
experiences to at-risk kindergarten through fifth grade
students. The program is intended to improve the students'
academic performance and help them develop healthy,
productive lifestyles. CASA's students meet after school
twice per week for two hours per session throughout the
school year, and in the mornings during the six-week summer
session.

Through the "Adventures in Fine Arts" project, the
children will observe the arts through activities such as
downtown sculpture and architecture appreciation walks, and
field trips to sites like the Holland Area Arts Council. In
addition, they will have a chance to participate in the arts
creatively during sessions led by area professionals and
students in the arts. The project will also include a
dinner that will feature a program designed to help the
children's parents bolster arts appreciation from home.

Established by Marge Rivera in 1987, CASA was
originally administered by Latin Americans United for
Progress (LAUP) and housed at First United Methodist Church.
The program moved to the college in 1989, and is housed on
the ground level of Graves Hall. 

• Share
• Tweet
• Post