FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AFCY is “Caring and sharing” in February

TORONTO, ON (Feb. 15, 2011) – Arts for Children and Youth (AFCY) is thrilled to share art made by children and youth, and a smile with the lunch recipients of the Meals on Wheels program that operates from St. Christopher House, Dundas and Ossington location in Toronto. Isolated seniors all over the city received hand painted covers on their hot food packages just in time for Valentine’s Day and Community Arts Day.

AFCY taps into existing social systems to promote the ideas of sharing, using art as a social connector.  AFCY celebrates “love and community arts” in February this year. Hand-painted, these hot food covers were created by hundreds of children who participate in our YMCA Youth Kickstart Programs, AFCY’s Big Bam Boom 2010 and at Harbourfront’s HarbourKIDS SK8.

Since meaning is made, children share stories, talk, and connect with each other as these hot food cover artworks are being created, these ‘lids’ become works of art. They are also proof of how art becomes a vehicle for giving back to the community.

“Children and youth in Toronto need to be aware about the importance of “sharing and caring” by giving back to the community.  This community sharing initiative encourages program participants to make meaningful intergenerational connections,” says Julie Frost, AFCY’s artistic and executive director. This initiative aligns with both AFCY’s values and Community Arts Day’s mandate “Art as a catalyst for caring and sharing.”

AFCY has been involved with St. Christopher House for the past 3 years. “AFCY connects with isolated seniors to give them the gift of unique artworks made by children and youth. And this has been made possible because we are partnering with Meals on Wheels, through St. Christopher House, engaging volunteer drivers to distribute art with a hot meal,” said Frost.
For recipients of a meal and a painting, this may be just what they need: a happy, spontaneous drawing that is a keepsake.

“The overall experience of creating artwork for the purpose of social change promotes the personal and creative growth of the children making the art, and engages them in meaningful artistic experiences that invest in community,” explains Frost.

AFCY acknowledges and is thankful for the support of our child and youth participants, St. Christopher House, Meals on Wheels, seniors, and Scarborough Support Services. AFCY Programs are made possible with the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.

About AFCY:

AFCY is a registered not-for-profit organization. We ally with high priority communities and empower marginalized children and youth by engaging them in hands-on, community and school-based arts education programs that respect existing cultural and community activity, resulting in participatory action and social awareness. To learn more about us, please visit www.afcy.ca. You can email us at info@afcy.ca or call us at 416-929-9314.

Shehreen Ladha
Marketing and PR Coordinator
401 Richmond St. West, Suite 230
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8
416 929 9314 x 114
shehreen@afcy.ca