Changing The Odds (CTO): Youth Arts Programs
The goal of the Windsor Endowment for the Arts’ Changing the Odds: Youth Arts Programs is to make the arts more accessible to local youth living with challenging social, emotional, financial, physical or mental health circumstances, and who tend to be under-served due to their life situations.
Changing the Odds Pathway to Literacy for Kids
2020 – 2025
BRINGING THE ARTS INTO DAILY LEARNING
Windsor Endowment for the Arts has partnered with Arts Can Teach and the Greater Essex County District School Board launching a five-year Changing the Odds Pathway to Literacy for Kids program. This vital initiative will provide urgently needed funds to support the educational, social and emotional needs of our region’s most vulnerable children.
The program funded by WEA and delivered by Arts Can Teach will reach the areas of greatest need with the highest levels of child poverty: the downtown area, west Windsor and Leamington.
Changing the Odds Pathway to Literacy for Kids, an interdisciplinary arts program, will focus on literacy for English language learners at two schools of highest need using Drama and Dance to boost language learning and understanding. Arts Can Teach will provide skilled artist educators to partner with public school teachers for the high-calibre delivery of engaging, arts-integrated programs beginning in Kindergarten.
Arts Can Teach will also address literacy in STEAM subjects, grades 1- 8 at all schools in need, integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math to incorporate creative thinking and applied arts in real situations.
Will you support our dream where children, artists and community benefit from arts-infused activities that support day-to-day learning and wellness?
“The arts are indispensable in promoting healing, healthy living and well being among individuals and communities particularly those confronted by social and economic duress.” −Michaelle Jean, former Governor General of Canada
Thank you for your time and interest in WEA and children.
Your assistance will give a voice to Literacy and champion the cause for our Kids.
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Changing the Odds: Community Transformation Through the Arts
2013 – 2018
From 2013 to 2018, CTO was an interdisciplinary arts program for teens aged 14-19, who live with challenging social, emotional, financial, physical or mental health circumstances, and who tend to be under served due to their life situations. This arts-based program housed in the Jackman Dramatic Art Centre at the University of Windsor, and delivered by the School of Dramatic Art (SODA) provided youth with a welcoming space and place for exploration and self-development. Through various models of engagement that focus on leadership training, mentorship, theatre, and other arts related activities, the CTO program offered a platform for youth to speak up about “what is not being said in their lives, to advocate for themselves and to practice the creative and leadership skills introduced throughout the program.” The first edition of CTO was able to transform the lives of dozens of youth. Its tremendous success was due to the strength and commitment of the entire Windsor-Essex community.
