My Nonprofit Reviews
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Review for Multicultural Education And Counseling Through The Arts, Houston, TX, USA
MECA continued a year of introducing and training students and adults alike in various arts in the past year, despite economic hardships. MECA was in three HISD schools teaching arts and music classes, and offered after school classes for their entire service area in classes ranging from ballet to Mariachi.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In Scholarship committee, each year I get the privilege of interviewing graduating seniors who have strong and varied backgrounds with MECA. These are students who have been with MECA since early childhood, and have continued through to graduation. They have taken full advantage of MECA's offerings, developing artistic talents, broadening their horizons with performance and travel experience, and becoming competitive academically. It's a joy to see their success and know they'll continue to college.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I continue to look for ways to market MECA and help make their offerings more globally appealing to a broader donor base.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
Through United Way
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
Succession Planning
What is its top priority in the long run?
Self Sustainability
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Review for Multicultural Education And Counseling Through The Arts, Houston, TX, USA
I've been aware of MECA for several years, and over the last 4 years have been involved in the United Way allocations process that reviews MECA's programs and awards funding. Through that process, MECA was evaluated along with other not for profits serving the Houston community, and consistently they are recognized for the quality of their programs, the diversity of their offerings, and their focus on bringing arts to a subset of the Houston community that may not have access otherwise. Thanks to my exposure through the United Way, I joined the MECA board because I have come to believe strongly in the mission they strive to, and I see how critical their role is in the community they serve.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
reviewing their annual progress, experiencing their programs and even watching my own nephew get excited about the summer programs offered at MECA. At five years old, he was thrilled at African drumming!
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Everyone I meet there, from students, parents, alumni, to advocates, all have a story about MECA having touched their lives in some way. Tiny ballerinas bring smiles to your face, while senior level musicians awe you with their talent.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated. In a word, that describes this staff who works long hours for little pay, and speaks of their students and work with MECA with determination to see it move forward, despite the financial set backs.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
take the program back to the schools that need it and fund itself. It could make the historic DOW school a renowned haven for arts and cultural learning for all students. It could expand its social services to give its students holistic support.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
