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Family Relationship Counseling
For many frustrated parents and troubled teens, relationship counseling can be an amazing experience. A third-party, objective counselor can often shed light on a turbulent situation at home. A licensed therapist or doctor usually conducts family relationship counseling.
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Released in theatres just a few months ago, "The Hip-hop Project" puts a unique spin on a familiar style of music. Though hip-hop typically gets negative attention, Chris "Kazi" Rolle believed it could be used to reach kids who were living on the streets or were on the verge of dropping out of high school. The four-year project was captured on film with the support of executive producers Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, and tells the story of a group of young people whose lives are transformed as a result of their involvement with the project.
Though The Hip-hop Project is getting national press and attention, the program itself is actually part of a larger, non-profit program called Art-Start.
Art-Start began in 1991, when a group of New York artists decided to use their talents to reach out to homeless and "at-risk" kids in the city. By teaching the kids to find and use creative outlets to process their fears, disappointments, and even their traumas and anger, Art-Start gives them the opportunity to be part of something, to make their voices heard and being healing both themselves and their communities.
The programs are about more than finger-painting or building things out of Popsicle sticks. The Media Works Project, for example, teaches its students how to critically analyze messages from the media. Students view everything from advertisements to television shows and movie credits. They dissect what they see, and learn to better understand the content and recognize the sometimes subtle messages. The student-produced television show Da Cypher offers counter-perspectives to pop culture and addresses critical issues like drug abuse and violence.
Another project called Arts in the Shelters travels to homeless shelters in and around New York City, providing creative opportunities for the more than 10,000 children who stay in shelters every night. Performance, visual, and media artists donate their time, resources and talents to develop programs that stretch the children's imaginations and challenge their creative talents. Field trips related to a current project are often planned, and the kids' finished works are often displayed in exhibitions.
Art Start programs give young people the chance to develop life-skills that might otherwise go unused. Developing and producing a good television show takes time. So does creating a painting or a CD. Kids learn how to set goals and work steadily to achieve them. The students documented in the Hip-hop Project worked for four years to write, produce and release their CD.
Many of the artists who volunteer with Art Start are quick to point out that the kids who participate are often very creative and have a lot to give. They just need a place to create and someone who believes in them enough to let them.
Over the years, thousands of young people have participated in Art-Start programs. One of its recent "graduates" was Chris "Kazi" Rolle; the man responsible for the Hip-hop Project which is now getting so much attention. He discovered Art-Start when he was at a "last-chance" alternative high school.
Scott Rosenberg, founder of Art-Start, has said that he's both encouraged and saddened by how eager young people are to participate in Art-Start programs. He's encouraged that so many are excited about the programs, but sad to know that the programs can currently handle only a limited number of people.
Art-Start's dream is to build a center of it's own in Manhattan where kids can go to create. The center would contain music, art and media studios as well as performance and gallery spaces. In addition, there would be a student run store, the proceeds of which would go toward the Scholarship Enterprise Funds.