Hong De Wu Guan after school program
While Hong De Wu Guan, Inc., will continue and expand its current roster of cultural programs and classes through FY24/25, much of the organization's increasing efforts during the time period of this grant will be towards the successful launch of a 16 week after-school Lion Dance program. This pilot program will be a model upon which all subsequent programs can iterate and expand upon. The program will be available to youth participants free of charge and will serve as an introduction to the skills and tenets of Lion Dance for those enrolled, as well as an introduction of Hong De Wu Guan, Inc. to one of the many communities the organization hopes to impact.
This pilot program will require outreach in two forms, first, to prospective partner organizations in the community that will be host to the physical activities of the workshop, second, to the community itself to raise awareness of the program's existence and to attract youth participants. This outreach could take the form of Lion Dance performances at community events, one-day introductory workshops at schools or community centers, or advertising in print or other media.
Each weekly class will be led by two instructors with extensive experience in Chinese culture and performing arts. Classes are designed to be both educational and fun, with a focus on building skills such as teamwork, discipline, and creativity.
Participants will learn the history and significance of Lion Dance, as well as the physical techniques and skills required to perform. In addition to learning the Lion Dance movements, children will also learn to play the accompanying instruments and work as a team to coordinate the dance. Giving the children the opportunity to be celebrated at performances is one of the key ways Hong De will demonstrate the importance of each child's effort and the beauty of teamwork, courage, and determination.
$24,000 the first year is for a grant to Hong De Wu Guan to create cultural arts projects like Lion Dance for after-school programs for youth.
While many of the effects and benefits of the Hong De Wu Guan after-school program may seem intangible and difficult to quantify, including increased awareness and appreciation of traditional Chinese arts throughout the community and increased self-esteem and positivity for youth participants, there are both binary yes/no outcomes and quantifiable outputs that can be measured and compared year-over-year as the program grows.
Broad project goals with yes/no outcomes include:
-Was there initiation of a partnership with a school, community center or similar organization to function as the host of the program?
-Was community outreach conducted in the lead-up to the after-school program in the form of Lion Dance performances at community events, one-day introductory workshops at schools or community centers, or advertising in print or other media?
-Was there successful operation of an initial after-school program, coordinating physical training space, instructors and youth participants over a multi-week session?
-Was there operation of additional program sessions, either with existing or novel community partners?
-Were there Lion Dance performances that included youth participants from the after school program? Were there Lion dance performances that solely included youth participants from the after school program?
Measurable outcomes include:
-Retention of 90% of youth participants throughout the term of the program
-Re-enrollment of 50% of program participants for future program terms where available
-Participation of at least 25% of program participants in a public Lion Dance performance
-Results of voluntary survey responses by participants, parents/guardians of participants, instructors, program partners and community members regarding :
1.Awareness and attitudes regarding traditional Chinese arts
2.Perceived value and success of the after-school program
3.Improvements/adjustments that can be made to the program