|
|
What a blessing 2008 was!
Last year was marked by the generosity of our funders,
individual donors and in-kind business donations (see list). While the economy may seem scary, those of you who have given generously of your time,
your money, and your gifts, have proven that hope prevails and caring
for others is an ongoing value. Thank you all.
In this issue
of The Ascent, we have so much information that I've only included brief news blips and links to our website. Please
refer to the table of contents on the right hand side to see our
featured articles, including one about our beautiful Marie, a youth poem, an article by Rick Reilly of ESPN, a Denver Post article about one of our youth poets winning the Poetry in Motion contest, and a poetry prompt for you to try. Especially though, we call your attention to our upcoming punk rock concert at Herman's Hideaway and an April poetry fair for National Poetry Month.
Again, many thanks to all who have so generously allowed us to serve more than 850 young people last year (click here for all stats). We also hired our first employees! After four and a half years of full-time (plus+) commitment, I was hired last March; Zachary Whiting was hired in June as executive assistant; and Marie Verrett, a founding board member who left the board last year to work full-time for free, was hired as director of operations in September. For this reason and for so many others, 2008 will be a banner year for Art from Ashes.
We have built this organization on sacrifice and faith and have always had the support of our community. Because of your willingness to sacrifice in order to give to our work, and because of your faith in us, we not only have survived but have grown--increasing the number of youth we serve each year. Most of you know that Art from Ashes rarely asks for money. But now, like many other nonprofits, we are affected by state funding cuts and economic concerns that have caused a decrease in giving. But we believe financial fear can be conquered..by giving. I know, how convenient, right? But it's true and it works. Read the Nightingale-Conant article included in this newsletter for advice from the experts (really wealthy people!).
So, if you would like to help us promote hope among our community's
homeless and/or abused youth, link to GivingFirst.org, a program of Community First Foundation. Because we depend so much on individual donations, please consider choosing a recurring donation for 2009. Of course a one-time amount will mean so much, as well. Your gift will be
tax deductible (always a good thing!) and a confirmation letter will be sent.
With gratitude,
Catherine
To get added to the list of donors, click here!  2009 BLESSINGS (so far)
 Link to the online Denver Post article, about Art from Ashes youth poet Dominic Perez, who participated in our program at Mile High Youth Corp last year. His poem will be displayed on RTD buses as part of Poetry in Motion program.  BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT!Our own founding board member and now Director of Operations Marie Verrett was chosen from among thousands of potentials as AARP's Top Ten Most Beautiful People over 50. Yup. We're all a little cooler because we know her. Read the article on our website, link to the press release, go straight to AARP The Magazine. EXTREME "MARKOVER"Art from Ashes was recently selected by the non-profit professional association World
Organization of Webmasters, (WOW) as the nonprofit recipient of an extreme markover. The goal of ExtremeMarkover-Web
Edition is to promote the Web Profession while giving something back to the
community by improving the look, the feel and the functionality of a notable
nonprofit organization website. AfA was chosen from among all the nonprofits in Colorado to benefit from a new website! Read more about WOW on their website or link directly to the extreme markover page. |
· Our first rockin' event for 2009 ·
SEVEN bands, live art & youth poetry at Herman's for only $10!! [buy tickets through PayPal][click flyer for more information] 
|
 SlamPhoenix!
A Spoken Word Revival
during National Poetry Month
This upcoming event in honor of national Poetry Month will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 4 to 7 pm at Denver Big Picture high school at 35th and Franklin. The event is being coordinated by volunteer and workshop facilitator Gabriela Perez, and will include auction items, a slam poetry workshop, graffiti lessons from local youth and mini poetry workshops. You'll pretty much love it... Keep the date open and we'll send a quick update before the event! And you can always check our news and events page for upcoming performances, presentations, conferences, etc. If you're interested in setting up a booth with poetry activities, performing at the event or donating journals and writing materials for the activities, please contact Gabriela. |
T W O N E W A D U L T W O R K S H O P S
starting April 1 [intro] & April 6 [intermediate]
All levels of writers (including those who
think they are not) welcome!
Adult workshops help
support our work with youth.
Adult poetry writing workshops are designed to enhance the connection between
the cognitive self and the creative right brain and do not focus on
writing skills development.
Cost and content available on our website, click here.
&
N E W Y O U T H W O R K S H O P
starting SATURDAY, March 28 [intro]
Safe City has provided funds for another small group youth workshop at our Inca St. location. Group is limited to six youth. PLEASE NOTE that we will require email confirmation by March 18th even if you already have contacted us regarding a young person's attendance (we currently have two spots available): info@artfromashes.org
For more information on our youth workshops, download the pdf information sheet.
|
Articles of Hope
 You may wonder what a sports columnist could possibly say that has any relevance to our poetry program. Besides being well-written and moving, Rick Reilly's article shows what an impact we can have on young lives by offering our support. And how the simple act of giving respect and honor can spark hope in struggling youth. Download the ESPN article about the Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School high school football game as a pdf or link to the ESPN website.
Nightingale-Conant is a motivational site I've long subscribed to (go figure!). A recent article called "The Greatest Moneymaking Secret in History" by Dr. Joe Vitale reinforced a financial lesson I have long found to be true. It has revolutionized my life by removing financial fear... an incredible way to live, especially in dark economic times. If you'd like to read it, you can download a pdf here or check out their website!
|
Opportunities to Give
Volunteers Positions NeededEvents Coordinator; Media
Coordinator; Financial Officer Services NeededExterior painting; phone calls; website maintenance; grant writing Items NeededWe
always need journals, glue sticks, scissors and pens for our youth workshops. We really would love a
newer Macintosh computer for our volunteers (capable of OS X).
Would any merchants be willing
to offer small items or services we can give our volunteers to show
them our appreciation for their hard work? Business SponsorshipsCommunity businesses who care about kids and the arts can provide much-needed
sponsorships for our programs. Please let us know if you're willing and we'll
promote your business on the web
and in our newsletter. Sponsorships start at $250 up to $2,400, which supports an 8-week youth program for 20 youth. Individual SponsorshipsPrivate
donors have made this organization and continue to drive our programs.
If you would like to sponsor an entire 8-week session for 20 youth,
please review our Epic Sponsorship or one of the others listed. You
can download sponsorship information as a pdf or check out our support page. |
|
|
My Voice Is
Jacob Kimball,22
[CASASTART]
All youth poems were written in 3 minutes from an AfA prompt.
My voice is like a constant light rain,
always there but never ominous.
My voice is the color gray,
neutral in the eyes of the viewer,
but crying to have a place.
My voice is a mother bear,
standing for its children,
but alone.
my voice is a wind,
always felt but never seen,
only speaking of its presence.
|
3-minute poetry prompt
Write for three minutes without thinking and without stopping (set a timer so you don't have to watch the clock!) and don't read ahead:
1. Write down three things you love to do.
2. Of those three, choose one action that best describes who/how you are.
3. Read the haiku by Basho (below), then write your own, using a similar format:
"I am one
who..."
followed by your chosen action, and finally a line describing how you do that action.
(NOTE: haikus do not necessarily have to follow the 5-7-5 rule.)
I am one
who eats his breakfast
gazing at morning glories
-Basho |
2008 DONORS!
EPIC LEVEL
(or higher)
Westword
Catherine Thorn
Marie Verrett
BALLAD LEVEL
Anonymous donor
ODE LEVEL
Artistic Fusion Dance Academy
Michelle Latimer Dance Academy
Debra Porter
SONNET LEVEL
Marc Wise
Sharon Miller
Terry Whitney
The Active Network
Amy M. Bergan
Mike McPhee
Lisa Jordan
HAIKU LEVEL
Stephen & Robin Wise
Noelle E. Benjamin
John & Denise Ensslin
$100 or more::
Greg Hartung
ACC Writers Studio
Christiana Myers
Debra T. Ng
James Caldwell
John Soldano
Paul Wright & Pam Tyrrell
Susan Gill
Sean Bolan
Barbara Test
Eric Sevante Green
Hollis Archibold
James K. Lusk & Martha L. Lusk Trust
Jennifer Struble
Peter & Diana Skidmore
Mary Zotz
Robert Wise
Susan Drury Jenson
Thomas & Colette Gill
Thomas Lagrotta
William Thorn
Other cash donations::
Ian Maxwell
Marquise A. Stillwell
Miriam Julkowski
Pamela Jacobsen
Sharon L. Lyons
Abigail Templeton
Daniel O'Connor
David Rothman
E. Jane Schmitz
Gary P. Larese
George Mallon
Lori Wise
Kathy Winograd
Miranda L. Middleton
Anonymous
ALM Publications & Recordings
Barbara Bonewitz
Brenda Dougherty
Charles Schuster
Chris Ransick
Constance Koprowicz
Corey B. Jones
Jacques & Christine Raby
Joanne J. Kadish
Kenny Wiltshire
Larry Bograd
Linda P. Kirkland
Marilyn Innerfield
Mark Pergola
Mary T. Larese
Rosann Waldmann
Benjamin Mercer
Gregg Gargan
James T. Erickson
Jocelyn A. Myers
(click here for an in-kind donor list)
FIRST DONOR OF 2009!
9-year-old Asia gave us $11 of her Christmas money "to help you reach your $500,000 from the universe." [She has great faith!]
|
|
