Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2010, $100,000)
Through the Byrne Congressionally Mandated Awards program, the Office of Justice Programs helps communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and supports training and technical assistance programs and other efforts that strategically target local needs. This program is authorized to organizations identified in the Conference Report to accompany the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010.
The Office of Human Affairs (OHA) proposes to operate a Youth Multi-Media and Theater After School Program Center, designed to reach at-risk youth in the Southeast End of Newport News, Virginia. Working with the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center (DGCAC), this program will provide youth within these communities, especially the low-income neighborhoods of southeast Newport News that are served by OHA and the DGCAC, the opportunity to engage in cultural and artistic activities that will offer them alternatives to violence and crime.
The Youth Multi-Media and Theater After School Program Center will be composed of two components, a drama program and a multi-media and theater program. The program will serve 120 at-risk middle school (age range 11 to 14 years) and high school (age range 14 to 17 years) students, providing them with instruction in their chosen art form and the opportunity to have the results of their artistic endeavors viewed by the community. Qualified instructors will guide participants as they learn the basics of theater or multi-media production and are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge, skills and vision. The number of participants with improved attendance and disciplinary records will serve to measure the progress of this program.NCA/NCF