News

Archive for February, 2009

CYS Joins TNOYS

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS)

http://www.tnoys.org/

Philosophy

core values:

Collaboration: Youth and families benefit most when the common good of the youth services community as a whole is more important than protecting individual interests.

Maximizing Resources: Cost-effective programming ensures maximum benefit to youth and families served, and therefore demands that we share knowledge, information, and resources.

Innovation: Leadership and innovation are needed and should be nurtured at all levels - agency, family, and community.

Youth as Partners: We respect and value the resiliency, capability, and insight of youth and strive to always work in partnership with youth.

Value of Family and Community: Families are the preferred environment for nurturing youth development and families function best within a strong, supportive community.

Resiliency: All youth and families demonstrate strengths and are inherently resilient; given the opportunity and support, they will build on their strengths. The same principle applies to youthwork professionals.

Inquiry and Continued Learning: How we work is as important as what we do. Our success depends on flexibility, continued questioning, being open to new ideas and thinking, and reflecting on what we’ve done.

Balance: Humor and fun, as well as nurturing our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves, are essential to balance our serious day-to-day work.

 

Spread the Word! Austin’s Youth Open Mic has a New Venue!

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Spread the Word! Austin’s Youth Open Mic has a New Venue!
Austin’s poetry open mic for youth has a new home! 

Check it out every 2nd and 4th Saturday at Kick Butt Coffee!!!

It’s arty time for creative Austin youth

Monday, February 2nd, 2009
Monday February 2 2009
 

It’s arty time for creative Austin youth

By: Veronica

 

If it’s music choreography that you’re into, you can get your fix with music performance.  

It’s no surprise that Austin’s youth are incredibly creative and cooler than the other side of the pillow when it comes to developing art. 

That’s why the City of Austin is funding a free program for youth called Totally Cool Totally Art, which aims to offer a resourceful environment for developing art in a multidisciplinary environment.

It’s an outreach collaborative project of the Austin Parks & Recreation Department’s Dougherty Arts School. The programs being offered run the gamut, from drawing and painting, to film, photography and music and art performance.

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Not just arts and crafts
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TCTA is funded by the Austin City Council’s Social Fabric Initiative in an effort to deal with teen issues in the city.

View a schedule of upcoming classes and view a calendar here

Check out some of the work from Totally Cool Totally Art in this photo gallery and some past projects

Other related Austin art links

 

Education coordinator for Totally Cool Totally Art said anyone from the grades 7 – 12 can participate and take advantage of a plethora of options. Teams of artists visit recreation centers Monday through Thursday evenings and lend a helping hand to the students.

Ruth Harros is a student who joined the program five years ago. Her goal is to become an art teacher one day. She is using the program to fine tune her skills in photography and network, too. She earned an internship at the Dougherty Arts School.

If it’s music choreography that you’re into, you can get your fix with music performance.

The program is for youth from grades 7-12 at various Austin recreation centers, running from 6 – 8 p.m. during the week.  

 

Dance instructor Kelly Hasandras is teaching students the choreography to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” The final project will be featured at theMexic-arte Museum (Feb. 12 – 26). She said most youth aren’t aware to what’s available to them.

“It’s really great to see them express themselves and move around,” she said. “They don’t necessarily know that they have these options, and it’s really taking off, they really love it.” 

 WATCH THE VIDEO
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Totally Cool Totally Art

Learn more about a youth arts education initiative project that’s cooler than the other side of the pillow.

 

The creative arts program began in October 1996, as part of the Austin City Council’s Social Fabric Initiative — an initiative to help the community deal with teen issues. The goal of the initiative is to offer programs which enrich and expand the choices made available to youth during high risk, after-school hours by creating alternative activities. 

The program offers five different classes and workshops for youth grades 7 – 12 at various Austin recreation centers, running from 6 – 8 p.m. during the week.