As the first year anniversary of the Port Au Prince Earthquake approaches, Bronx students are determined not to forget. They have decided to put their words into action by raising money to build a well in Haiti.
DreamYard's A.C.T.I.O.N. Project (Art Community Teams in Our Neighborhoods) is a 4-year arts activism and youth development program for Bronx teenagers. Its mission is to develop young people as effective social leaders and active civic participants through challenging artistic projects.
Last year, ACTION sponsored a Red Party, to educate youth about HIV. This year, the socially conscious youth will be hosting a night for Haiti.
A Cup of Hope is a multi-disciplinary arts exhibit, featuring performance and visual art created by high school students in the Bronx.
The event will highlight what students learned during their 10-week Saturday program where they learned about the global water crisis by watching the film Blue Gold. Participants also experienced a mock jerry can walk, where they each had to carry jugs of water down a few city blocks to get a sense of what it is like to transport your own water. Students took surveys to discover how many gallons water they use per day and made pledges to use less.
A Cup of Hope is also a fundraiser to raise money to donate to Ryan’s Well, a non profit dedicated to delivering access to safe water as an essential way to improve the lives of people in the developing world.
The open gallery will begin at 4:00pm, providing guests an opportunity to view student-made art. Guests will also be invited to participate in the Action Rooms, where they will have opportunities to learn more about the global water crisis, make pledges to spread the word via social media networks, and experience hands-on art making activities.
The evening will close with students performing a one-act play, which was written by the students along with their instructor. The play, When the Well Runs Dry, will feature student poetry and show the contrast between the life of the privileged and less fortunate. It poses the question: What would you do if you had no access to clean water?
The event is free and open to the public and will be held at The DreamYard Arts Center, 1085 Washington Avenue (at 166th Street, Bronx). All donations received will be used to join forces with Ryan’s Well and provide clean water for Haiti. All donations are tax-deductible and can be made the night of the event or by mail.
* No. 4, 5 or 2 train north to 3rd Ave and 149th Street
* Exit on left for Bx55 bus north to Fordham Road
* Get off on 3rd Ave 166th Street
* Walk west on 166th St one block to Washington Avenue
