My Nonprofit Reviews
kathleensowle
Review for Art For Change Inc, New York, NY, USA
A few years ago, I was introduced to Art for Change via a friend and was thrilled to have an opportunity to volunteer my time during Hacia Fuera that year. The children's art projects were fun, the other volunteers uber-energenic, and the weekend was simply great! Last year, during an AFC meeting for volunteers interested in assisting with the 2011Programs, I joined a committee to help coordinate the AFC Childrens Art Workshops, which are held on the First Saturday of the month. These workshops are taught by volunteer teaching artists and are FREE!
Only a few months into the process, I have found it to be a wonderful way to volunteer and, in the process, to make use of my skills and experience for the benefit my community. I get to meet and support other teaching artists in their visions for workshop projects, and frankly, I'm thrilled to have a small part in making a difference.
Gandhi asked us all to "Be the change we seek" - AFC allows me to "be my change"! With our first workshop under AFC's belt, and more to follow in months to come, I'm certain the monthly series of Children's Art Workshops will be a great success! The children who came to our first program and built a temporary mural in our gallery space were clearly inspired by the teaching artist, Kate Fasbinger, and parents were thrilled to see their child(ren) so engaged.
If I had a magic wand (or much deeper pockets) and could provide a wave of funding for AFC, I'd focus first on providing a stipend to the teaching artists we are working with. You see, these weekly workshops are actually provided by the teaching artists through their interest in making a difference! AFC provided the supplies, and thus our programs are limited to a meager budget!! On the bright side, and certainly more important to note, these artists come to us with their proposals, seeking only to join us in our shared interest -- that of making change and to do so through the arts!
I personally enjoy meeting new families in my community. The hope and joy for their children that I see in the eyes of parents often takes my breath away. As a parent (an empty nester) I am pleased to have the opportunity to do volunteer work for a non-profit organization which brings arts events and creative, empowering dialogues to the community of East Harlem. I feel proud to be a part of Art for Change.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally been involved for only a short time - but given the venue to offer my community a bit of help, I'm gratified, inspired to do more, and frankly, further pleased to call East Harlem my home.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I'd begin with a relatively short term goal to relocate the gallery space to a larger and ideally ground-level space! We can fill the gallery with guests and participants interested in what we have going on...but it takes volunteers on the street announcing the start of a screening, or encouraging parents to come back with their children after they've put the laundry away... a store front space would be the best "signage"! A beacon on Lexington Avenue!
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Likely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Art for Change does make change happen, but we can't operate on change alone! So support us! Work with us! :) It goes without saying that not-for-profits need funding. For AFC, were our funding entities to proffer a bit more, perhaps our programming could be more influential and possibly increase our presence in the community! If you are reading this and have a not-yet-rented store front to fill - perhaps a tax right-off would be ideal? Were there a resource or an interest in proffering street front space...Art for Change would be happy to make a difference - for you and your East Harlem community!
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
My work for Art for Change simply brings me great joy!
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
I personally enjoy meeting new families in my community. The hope and joy for their children that I see in the eyes of parents often takes my breath away. As a parent (an empty nester) I am pleased to have the opportunity to do volunteer work for a non-profit organization which brings arts events and creative, empowering dialogues to the community of East Harlem. I feel proud to be a part of Art for Change!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
