 |
| Kids in the Austin prevention program discover new sights in the city. |
This summer, the Phoenix Academy of Austin’s prevention team partnered with the Austin Children’s Museum at the Dell Discovery Center, to celebrate international and local culture in a special “One World” exhibition. The exhibit featured art works and photography created by Austin residents ages 6 to 13 years old – including kids from Phoenix House prevention programs.
Each summer Phoenix House’s prevention team continues to reach out to families in low-income housing projects. Our prevention experts expose kids to cultural differences through art activities, field trips and guest speakers. They also give students the chance to become more aware of Austin’s distinctive character.
“It is vital to expose these at-risk children to fun, drug-free activities,” said Nikki Dean, Prevention Manager at the Austin Academy. “Taking kids out of their immediate neighborhoods is a great way to broaden their perspective.”
This year, the prevention team gave each child a disposable camera, then took them to locations around Austin where they photographed specialty shops, restaurants, and thrift stores – places they felt represented Austin’s diverse lifestyle. Lucy in Disguise, a costume shop on South Congress Street, the Broken Spoke DanceHall and Restaurant and the nearby Bat Sculpture were just some of the hotspots chosen by the kids.
“Through a camera lens, these kids had the chance to view different parts of the city that they might otherwise have never seen,” said Laurie DeLong, Director of the Austin Academy.
The young students also learned about China, France, India, and Japan by making string art, yo-yos, a mosaic Eiffel Tower, and a kimono, all of which were displayed in the “One World” collection at the museum.
“It is important for us to counter negative images shown about other countries in the news,” said Ms. DeLong. “Our kids need to know that even though people dress and speak differently, we all have friends, family, and we share something.”
During the school year, the prevention team continues their outreach programs, meeting with youth groups each week after school.
Back to Texas News |
