Partners in Arts Participation

Last year, Northside Child Development Center served 221 children and their families; 98% of the children served were children of color, predominantly African-American and, on average, more than 90% are eligible for free or reduced meals. Families at Northside Child Development Center face multiple barriers to reaching positive outcomes including community violence, housing instability, learning disabilities and mental health issues. Opportunities for cultural enrichment for families are scarce when living below the national poverty standard. In fact, the average income for Northside Child Development Center families of two or three is $14,500. Northside Child Development Center families were able to enrich their lives and learning through arts entertainment. Barriers were eliminated with transportation, hands-on activities and arts participation provided for families. 2: As the largest human services agency in the region, Catholic Charities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis relies on building and sustaining relationship with community partners to fill the gaps in service the agency is unable to provide or perhaps a program that a community partner can enhance. The Early Bridges Residency through Children's Theater Company has been a strong partner with Northside Child Development Center. What made this year's program successful was not only did Early Bridges enhance learning within the classroom by offering storytelling and other interactive activities, but for the first time in our collaborative history, Northside Child Development Center youth and parents/guardians were invited to a free performance off-site. The performance of The Very Hungry Caterpillar was an especially unique for Northside Child Development Center families because there was an interactive component at the end of the play. Actors/puppeteers came out after the performance to reflect and initiate discussion on the imagery, puppetry and other theatrical components.