Founder and director Nan Elsasser said the organization, which offers tuition free instruction to student artists and actors from the city’s poorest communities, needs to raise $25,000 to avoid shutting down next year.
“We’re experiencing financial trouble,” Elsasser said. Air Jordan 3s “I can’t run this program if I’m scrambling trying to find $100 just to keep the lights on. If we raise $25,000, that will get us to where we need to be Air Jordan 23s so we can pay our bills, manage the place comfortably and look at future fund raising options.”
Elsasser, who recruits the country’s top artists, playwrights and directors to teach Working Classroom’s major projects, said it costs $350,000 to keep the organization in full operation every year. It serves about 200 students a year.
The bills, typically paid through annual grants and private donations, include rent, utilities, supplies, project based instructor contracts, student scholarships and Nike LeBron 12 a staff of four full time performing and visual art instructors.
“I noticed many of our corporate and private contributors began donating significantly less than usual after last year’s economy collapsed,” Elsasser said. “It’s the only thing I can think of that put us where we are. People just aren’t donating like they used to.”
“So, we’re asking for donations,” she said. “We need help.”
If the money is raised, Elsasser said the center’s youngsters can continue to receive top notch art instruction and academic tutoring.
Matthew Lucero, 16, is one of them.
“I’ve been coming here after school for three years,” said Lucero, a student at the Southwest Secondary Learning Center. “If I weren’t here, I’d be at home probably doing nothing.
“Right now, I’m making a mosaic,” said Lucero, while pasting together jagged yellow and black pieces Nike KD 7 of paper. “They also taught me how to do sculptures and help me with homework.”
Next to Lucero sat a smiling Cibola High School ninth grader, who is a ward of the state and in the process of being adopted.
For four years he has visited Working Classroom after school and there, in the quaint art room, he has found true support.
“If I didn’t come here every day, I wouldn’t have met one of my good friends,” he said, Air Jordan 11s nudging an agreeing Lucero. “It’s a nice, fun place to come where I have good friends and teachers.”
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