Our Executive Directors, Board members, program participants and staff attended the Union Square Awards dinner last night where Renaissance E.M.S. was one of the 17 organizations honored. "With minimal resources, these organizations are making extraordinary contributions to local neighborhoods," said Union Square Awards executive director Iris Morales. "Given the current economic situation, their work is vital to New York City."
"The Union Square Arts Award recognizes the important and leadership role played by arts and culture in creating educational opportunities, building community and promoting social change. Its purpose is to support creative and innovative programs that benefit youth and families in low-income communities throughout New York City. The goal is to identify arts projects and organizations making a significant impact and contribution to the lives of participants and their communities."
Additional recipients of the Union Square Arts Award last night are listed below.
GIRLS WRITE NOW is a creative writing and mentoring organization for high school girls that provides a safe space for girls to explore and develop their creative, independent voices, and to learn how to make healthy choices in school, career and life. www.girlswritenow.org
THE LAUNDROMAT PROJECT uses the space of local coin-ops to provide communities of color living on modest incomes with access to visual art as a tool of personal and social transformation through programs focused on visual literacy, art making and exhibition. www.laundromatproject.org
MANO A MANO: MEXICAN CULTURE WITHOUT BORDERS is dedicated to celebrating Mexican culture in the United States and promoting the understanding of Mexican traditions among immigrants, artists, educators and the general public in New York.
www.manoamano.us
MULTICULTURAL MUSIC GROUP provides direct instruction to public school students, performances, and professional development in multicultural instrumental music to promote global understanding, cultural awareness, and world music sensitivity.
www.multiculturalmusic.org
T.W.W. INC./(TALKS WITH WOLVES) provides children and young people with in-school and after school programs in writing, visual and performance arts that integrate African and Native American cultures. www.talkswithwolves.org
URBAN WORD NYC exists to ensure that New York City youth have a safe, supportive, dynamic and challenging community in which to discover their voices- through written and spoken word - and use them to express their views, strengthen self-esteem and engage in sociopolitical issues that affect them. www.urbanwordnyc.org
WILLIE MAE ROCK CAMP FOR GIRLS is dedicated to empowerment through music programs for girls and young women that promote self-expression and self-esteem and help combat racism and stereotypes by building bridges of communication and shared experience. www.williemaerockcamp.org
COOL CULTURE makes it possible for low-income families in New York to visit and explore the city’s cultural institutions for free, providing children with valuable learning experiences.
www.cool-culture.org
FREEDOM TRAIN PRODUCTIONS promotes new political theatre written by up-and-coming Black playwrights that feature Black, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender protagonists who challenge audiences to see character struggle from their perspective. www.freedomtrainproductions.org
