Today 58 elementary and middle school kids took their Saturday to serve others. Meeting at Highland Park Community Outreach, Urban Arts hosted the fall service project along with Kids that Rock from Kensington Church.  Splitting into three groups, the kids rotated to an outdoor paint activity, an indoor craft project and a music class.  Once the projects were completed, we loaded up and drove over to the Highland Park Nursing Home where the kids sang three songs and presented the crafts they made to the residents of the home.

Jesus was present and the children's love was abounding!

June 27-July 1
July 5-9
July 11-15
July 18-22

Also, included below is a list of items that we need for our camps. Most are food items and craft supplies. If you would like to donate and item please contact us here. Gift cards and cash donations are also helpful as we purchase these supplies.

Supply Needs
1. Performance Dinner @ City Mission
______ taco shells
______ 3 large salsas
______ 2 large boxes tortilla chips..2bags in each box (found at Sam’s Club or Costco. OR large bags from the grocery store.
______ 10 pounds shredded cheese
______ 2 cans of Nacho Sauce (found at SAMS or Gordon’s Food Service)
______3 large sour creams
______ 2 large bags of shredded lettuce (GFS, Sam’s, Costco)
______ Box of tomatoes
______ 10 envelopes of taco seasoning
______ 4 large containers of lemonade mix
______ 3 containers PRE-made brownies (Sam’s/Costco/GFS)
______ 150 9oz. cups
______ 150 plasticware
______ 150 dinner plates
______ 150 bowls
______ dessert plates
______ napkins
______ 6 large aluminum foil pans
______ 6 medium aluminum foil pans
______ 35 pounds meat (or money donated to purchase it)
______ 250-300 individually wrapped ice cream bars
______ 2 large drink containers/dispensers
2. Craft Supplies
_____ 40 bags of polyfill pillow stuffing
_____ 100 pack blank CD’Rs
_____ Glue sticks
3. Snacks/Lunches
______600 granola bars
______ 200-400 Go-gurts
______ 200-400 freeze pops
______ 200-400 fruit snacks
______ 200-400 cheese sticks
______ mac & cheese for 100
______ spaghetti noodles for 100
______ spaghetti sauce for 100
______ hot dogs for 100
______ hot dog buns for 100
______ ranch dressing
______ mustard/ketchup
______oranges/apples
______lemonade or koolaid mix

Please pray for the 200+ kids we will be ministering to this summer! Our theme is "Make Your Mark". We pray that these youth will be trained to live like Jesus and serve Him to "make their mark" on the world they live in.

Grace&Peace,
Katie Beth Hostetter
Director, Urban Art Outreach
www.urbanartoutreach.com

How do you teach youth to serve others? Is it something that comes naturally--putting other people before yourself? Most would laugh and say 'No way!'.  So how to we come by this selfless action and attitude? By knowing Christ. Urban Art volunteers do their best to model a servant's attitude for the youth to see.  Serving is showing others' Christ's unselfish love. What better way to teach youth to serve than to give them the opportunity. 

Saturday was the second "Service Project" day for UA students at HPCO. We partnered with Kids that Rock, a performing arts program from Kensington Community Church.  The children arrived in the morning ready to work! They split into groups and worked on making St. Patrick Day table decorations for the Highland Park Nursing Home as well as practiced several songs they would perform for the residents of the nursing home.   

After lunch, everyone loaded up and caravan-ed to the nursing home. For some kids it was a stretch to walk into such a different environment: seeing elderly people in wheelchairs, smelling different smells, watching nurses take care of individuals who needed extra TLC. But each child who walked into the building knew why they were there and what they needed to do. Share the love of Christ. With each song that was sung and each table decoration that was made with the residents the smiles on the faces of the kids got bigger and bigger. They enjoyed spending their entire Saturday serving others. This is only the beginning of their young lives and we pray that their heart of service will continue to grow as large as the smiles on their faces when they left at the end of the day.

We are so thankful for individuals and small groups who take time to make dinners and goodies for the Urban Art students on Monday evenings. This night, a small group from KCC, made sloppy joes, fruit jello, corn and provided drinks and paper products. Thanks you guys!! It was yummie;)

After serving the kids dinner at HPCO, we drove down Woodward to the outdoor ice skating rink. As the kids were putting on the rented ice skates, two of the boys came up to another leader and I and their face looked so sad. They informed us that they weren't wearing socks. It was winter. I was amazed. Thankfully, I was wearing two pair and the other leader handed hers over to the boys.

 When we got to the ice, I realized that the majority of the kids had never been ice skating before. Some took it slowly, while others jumped right in and enjoyed the slips and falls. I was the most proud of a young boy named Cameron. He was terrified of skating. Just to get in the van to go was a HUGE step for him. Once he got his skates on and stepped onto the ice he began crying. I skated over to him, by that time he was about 1/3 of the way around the rink. As he clutched the railing and took precarious steps with his ice skates we began to pray. Cameron began to calm down and he made it all the way around the rink.  He quickly exited and found a bench near by. I was a little disappointed that he didn't want to give it another try, but I knew he had been terrified. About 15 minutes later, I looked over at the bench and Cameron was gone. The last place I scanned with my eyes was the rink but when I did I saw him clinging to the wall giving it another go. All by himself. I was so proud.  He is learning to trust and conquer his fears.

 By the end of the night, none of the kids wanted to leave. :) I can't wait until they tear up the ice next winter!

Urban Arts is thrilled to announce the first instrumental program starting this fall with City Mission. A violin class will be offered to students at City Mission Academy on Monday afternoons. We have 14 very excited kids signed up! Several violins have been donated or rented for children, but we are still in need of 9 violins. The monthly rental fee is $16.00 which includes a music stand, book, instrument and accessories. This monthly cost is pretty much out of the question for the families in the program.

We are looking for individuals, families, small groups or businesses who would be willing sponsor a violin student for this school year. (Sept.-June) Please consider being a part in blessing a child with a free weekly music lesson and a chance to grow in ways they could never imagine. Contact Katie Beth Hostetter via katiebeth@urbanartoutreach.com.

Several UA volunteers wrote about their experiences this past summer.  Enjoy reading the notes below!

 "My life has been forever enriched by a group of people that God placed in my
path to minister unto and to be ministered to. I was honored to go on a mission’s trip to
be a part of the Urban Arts weekly camp in Detroit, Michigan. I was not sure how the
experience would be, but I knew that God was in the midst. Upon our arrival and first
few hours meeting with Katie and her parents, all my stress and fears were released. God
has poured into the lives of those running the program and his presence was all around
us.

Seeing as though it was my FIRST mission’s trip, I had no idea what to expect.
I was soon to realize that my purpose was to just to be myself. As a praise and worship
leader, I began to understand how the gifts and moving of the Holy Spirit was going far
beyond the four walls of a church building. This was evident as we went on our way
to prepare for the weeks activities. I thought that I was on “cloud nine” until I met the
wonderful children that are involved with Urban Arts.

The children brought such a level of excitement and openness to everyday and
allowed our team to fall right in place and start working. I will always remember the
smiles and laughter that flowed from every child as well as the workers and parents
that were involved. The UA program is one that every child, rich or poor, shy or bold,
can enjoy and be blessed in. I still tear up when I think of how the final performance
was such a blessing to the parents and friends that gathered. My heart was truly
blessed by the whole experience and can’t wait to get back and continue to work."--Michael from Maryland

The next note was sent from Rachel, from Clinton Townwship, MI, and a second year summer camp volunteer: 

"Urban Arts after-school program and summer camp was designed to focus on the kids of Detroit and teach them all areas of art. Although the program was made to impact the kids lives, I feel that it has touched everyone that has ever been a part of it. I have volunteered for Urban Arts summer camp for two years and I did this just to help Katie Beth and of course, the children. Little did I know it was going help and impact my life in so more ways. Urban arts provides city children an extracurricular activity after their school not only keep them out of trouble, but to teach them about Gods love and enhance their God-given artistic talents. These kids come into camp sometimes and won't even stand up in dance class with such negative attitudes. Then performance time comes at the end of the week and they end up dancing, smiling, front and center like nobody is watching. These kids need life and love poured into them and in one week its incredible what an impact we can have on them and how their lives can be transformed. I try to be the best teacher by having the most fun, a Christ-like loving attitude, along with discipline. I have fun, probably as much as the kids. :)
I feel more satisfied and alive after I leave Urban arts summer camp then any job I have ever done. There is an extreme sense of fulfillment after pouring my heart and soul into these kids during summer camp. This program is so full of love, compassion, and energy it gives the kids exactly what they lack. It is heart-warming and incredibly touching to watch these kids put everything into their performance that they have been working on the entire week. After they are done they run with all of their might towards me with the brightest smile and give me strongest hug. It is the best feeling in the world and there is such a sense of accomplishment to watch them perform and and see their faces light up. The focus for the entire program is for the children but indirectly touches my heart tremendously and I am so blessed to be a part of Urban Arts."

 The last note is from a mom who volunteered at UA camp the past two summers and brought her children to be a part of the camp as well!

"What a joy and privilege it was to be a part of Urban Arts camp this summer! I said last summer that Urban Arts camp topped the list of my summer high points and the same rings true this year. I am not sure who had more fun... Me or my three daughters who participated with the kids from City Mission Academy. All I could think of while I was there was, “every kid, in every city across the world needs a camp like this”. What an opportunity for them to be loved, told they are special and truly let their lights shine. The children I met that week will forever be in my heart. What sweet and wonderful and gifted young people they are! I am so inspired and encouraged by Katie Beth, Mamma Linda, Papa Wally and all of the amazing volunteers whose commitment to these kids is unwavering and whose faith in Jesus is pure and strong and lovely. I am a better person because of Urban Arts- not because I gave up a week of my life to go there... but because I have been transformed by the Holy Spirit through this ministry. My heart has been broken for children who need hope and my eyes have been opened to see that together we can make a difference. One word to describe my time spent with Urban Arts.... JOY!! You better believe we’ll be back!!"--Karen from Rochester, MI

Take a big breath.....now let it out slowly. The third summer of Urban Art camps has just come to a close.  We are ALL smiling! Here's a little recap and some memories for those of you who weren't able to make it.

 We had some "firsts" for our camp this year that we are thrilled to share!

• We raised enough money to purchase our own portable sound system!
•  A family donated their time and food to cook hot lunches for several of the camp days. (this was a nice change from brown bag lunches)
• A missions team of 13 people came from a Christian school in Maryland to help with a week of camp.
• A puppet theater was built to use for camp this summer.
• We had a summer intern, Brandon, who helped at three of the camp weeks in the dance department and in other areas.  He is a local high school student who lives in Detroit and had attended UA camps the past two summers.

Week 1: 39 elementary students from City Mission camp to camp the first week. We had a missions team from Grace Brethren Christian School in Maryland come out for the week and work with us.  It was the first time we had a missions team come to assist us and between you and me, this is the way we need to do it from now on!:)  The team did a great job during the day with the kids and came back in the evening with enough energy to help prep for the upcoming camp weeks.  We were excited for the kids to be able to perform at the church next door to City Mission.  The building was given to CM and they have now started a church, City Covenant Church!  Another highlight from the week--the kids wrote and performed original puppet shows based on the fruit of the Spirit.  (they also made their puppets!)  The week ended with our traditional taco dinner for the families.  This year, we ran out of seats! But God was good and we never ran out of any food!

Week 2: We stayed at City Mission for our second week and worked with the middle and high school students.  Although this was a smaller group, due to summer school requirements, we loved the creativity from these kids! This group of campers excel in the art and drama classes. They were split into two groups, guys and girls, and rotated to the different classes.  When they went to drama class each group came up with an original drama based on a moral and Scripture--patience and self-control.  The two dramas were performed on the final evening and they were a big hit!

Week 3: This was the HOTTEST week in the summer and we sweated it out (literally) on the second and third floor of a building with no air with our middle schoolers from Central Detroit Christian.  I was really impressed at how well behaved the kids were this week! (maybe the heat took it out of them:)  They focused on art, music and dance during the week and gave a wonderful performance on Friday afternoon! We've got some talent in this group!

Week 4: Highland Park Community Outreach let us take their kids for a week of camp and we had a blast! Some of our classes were held outside and we were a little nervous due to the forecast, but we dodged the "rainy" forecast every single day! The kids put all of their energy into their work and pumped out a great outdoor performance on Friday afternoon.  We were very pleased at the turn out of parents too!

All in all, it was a great 2010 Summer Camp season!

Even though the summer camps are over, we are looking ahead to the fall for our programs and even starting to talk about next summer! It's never too early to start planning! If you'd like to be part of the process let us know!

Hi Friends,
I am very excited to share that Pepsi Refresh Project has accepted my proposal to be in the running for a $5000 grant to help run our Urban Art summer camps! This would help cover half of the cost of camp!!! The ONLY way we can win is with YOUR help!
It's easy!!!
1. Go to http://www.refresheverything.com/urbanarts
2. Click "Vote for this idea". (You must register first to vote, but all you need is your email and a password)
3. Remember to vote everyday until June 30th!
4. Pass it on. via facebook, twitter, email, text or even a phone call

We must be in the top 10 ideas under the $5000 category by June 30th in order to qualify.

Thank you for your support!!!
Katie Beth Hostetter
www.urbanartoutreach.com

We are currently looking for individuals who are interested in teaching either music, drama or dance for a week of camp.  We are also looking for counselors who would like to assist the kids through out the day.  The counselors do not need to be artistically or musically inclined.  They just need to love kids!

If you fit into either category and would like more information or to sign up please contact us here.

2010 SUMMER CAMP DATES

June 14-18 (partnering with City Mission, elementary)

June 28-July 2 (partnering with City Mission, middle/high school)

July 5-9 (partnering with HPCO, Highland Park Community Outreach, elementary)

July 12-16 (partnering with CDC, Central Detroit Christian, middle school)

Yesterday afternoon Urban Art students at City Mission came back for the winter/spring term.  The students will be studying Vincent Van Gogh and recreating their interpretation of the "Stary Night" painting.  They will also be exploring the creative ways drama can be incorporated in every day life.  These 2nd-5th graders had a great attitude and told us they had been anxiously awaiting our return and for the new term to start!  These kids are great!

Having the privilege to work with kids from all different walks of life keeps me on my feet!  Today, I had the opportunity to work with my students at New Community Kids from Kensington Community Church.  These children chose to take their Saturday afternoon to serve others.  Multiple projects were going on, but the one that was closest to my heart was seeing the fourth and fifth graders create the Christmas Costumes for the Kindergarten-2nd graders at Urban Arts from Central Detroit Christian.  Thanks to Provide inc, we had enough materials to create ALL of the Christmas choir robes!  Seeing the joyful smiles, helpful hands and loving hearts from the kids at New Community encouraged my heart.  I saw next generation actively serving without the expectation of receiving anything in return.

The first location that came to mind was City Mission.  Urban Arts partners with them and I know the community could really use a gift of love! The answer from City Mission was "YES!".  So, I secured the location and the people. 

That was the easy part.  I still needed a photographer. I started asking around for who would be willing to spend a day taking pictures and giving them to families in need.  I wasn't really getting anywhere with my questions so I googled "metro Detroit photographers" and started browsing the websites of local photographers who looked like they knew what they were doing.  I decided to take a shot in the dark and email different photographers.  I received a positive response from a guy who is, in my opinion, very talented!  After discussing the event briefly via email, we decided to meet to talk about the details.  Adam Czap is now on board as the photographer for the day.  I'm really excited!

I am still looking for a printer who is willing to print about 30 8x10 photos as well as a company or individual who is willing to gift 30 8x10 frames for the photos.  If you know anyone who may be able to help in this area please contact us!  Also, if you are interested in photography and would like to be a Help Portrait assistant for the day go to our contact page to give us more information about yourself!

I'm thrilled that Jeremy Cowart's vision of Help Portrait has migrated from Nashville, TN to Detroit, MI.  I can't wait to share the rest of the story once December 12th hits!

 Next week, CDC starts the Breakthrough Enrichment Program where Urban Arts runs the creative arts portion. Also included in the program are dinner, tutoring and Bible. Urban Arts is working with the K-6th grade this year on Tuesday nights.  They will also be learning Christmas music, a Christmas drama and a little dance for their performance in December.

Week 1 brought joy and sorrow as the middle and high schoolers of Brightmoor turned their energy to learning and loving the arts.  For some, it was a struggle and I could see they just weren't sure about being in the program, but they hung in there to the very end.  For others, they shone like stars in the midnight sky as they stood on stage beaming with smiles so bright you knew they were having the time of their life.  Both groups of students grew to become better individuals not only in the performing and visual arts, but in their character and person as a whole.

Week 2 was refreshing as we worked with elementary students who have a passion for life.  It was wonderful to see the interaction of inner city and suburban kids as they learned together, played together, ate together and loved together throughout the week.  Even with the stomach bug that unfortunately caught a camper every day during the week, the kids did not get discouraged!  Attitudes were positive and spirits were lifted up!

Week 3 was a new location, a new partnership and a new group of middle schoolers.  In of the eyes of the 36 students I saw hope, love, hurt, fear, discouragement, need, anger, kindness and many more feelings that seemed beyond the age of these kids.  But as the team arrived each day, eager to minister to the kids, we saw some of the painful layers peel away slowly.  A hug was given, a smile was bigger, a wall was broken down in the lives of some youth last week.  That's all we can hope and pray for.

As this new week begins and we are past the half way point for camps this summer.  I am encouraged and surprisingly refreshed.  I look forward to two more amazing weeks with amazing kids!

On my way home
I think about the kids
I think about them
Walking home
Except,
they don't get to go home like I do

White eyes
on warm skin
and irises blooming
right at me

they bloom with sun
they bloom in the rain
they bloom with fun
they bloom with pain

Shatonia's barely eleven
but her face is so old
and her words are so bold
and her voice, it hails from heaven

and Ashley and Angel,
Twins on a Schwinn
a 10 speed with 1 gear: broken.
Broken home, broken heart
Broken smile setting them apart

Nathan's lost touch with reality
But he tugs at something inside of me
An imagination with a golden key
Unlocking my mind, setting me free

Jay is pre-K
and is speech is okay
depending on the day
But he always has something to say
Or sing

And that's the thing
They keep Him in their hearts
and his words on their lips
and that hope
keeps their head
toward the son

The son that makes their eyes bloom

When Shatonia sings
When Ashley dances
When Nathan advances
When Jay finds chances
They bloom.

Some irises bloom, some irises wither
But one thing's for certain
The sun makes them stronger
and helps them live longer
The son makes them bloom
These irises bloom
and it warms my heart
My warm and blooming heart

Biggby Coffee held an open house for the Urban Art students last week. Their pictures were displayed for a week where customers could vote for their favorite. The shop also donated $1.00 per drink over a 4 hour window. At the end of the week, the Urban Art students from City Mission were honored at an open house in the store. They were given a free drink and presented with awards. We had a great time and give a huge shout of thanks to Biggby!!

I am so excited for next week. Biggby Coffee is hosting an art show for my Urban Art kids! A manager for Biggby over heard my mom talking about Urban Arts in his store one day and approached her with a fund raising idea. I gave him a call not too long ago and it's now a reality!

From May 18-24, Biggby Coffee in Southfield, MI (the one on Evergreen Rd.) will be showing my City Mission/Urban Art students work. The kids have been working on projects since January and have five fabulous pieces each to show. Now here's the even cooler part:) On Thursday, May 21 from 5-7pm and Sunday, May 24 from 1-3pm, Biggby is donating $1.00 for every drink sold. I will be behind the counter helping out (probably as the whip cream girl) and promoting our program. The kids will come in on Sunday afternoon and see their art, be awarded by Biggby and given free drinks!

I'm so grateful that the Lord continues to show me creative ways to expand and promote Urban Arts!

If you're local come on by during those four hours and support the cause!

As we were finishing up our latest art project, Angel, one of my students, needed to fix her painting. She had done a wash with three colors and didn't like the way it turned out so she came back up for more paint. As she was moving the brush across some blue paint landed on the butterfly she had drawn. One of my workers who was helping Angel said, "Oh he's ok!" and Angel turned to him with her big, serious, brown eyes and said, "That ain't a he it's a she! And now she's blue! That ain't right!" Oh how serious she was. It took all my strength to simply smile and not laugh out loud at her cuteness as I overheard the conversation.