The Nia Center newsletters include news about upcoming classes, camps and programs, special events, grant news, fundraisers, and items of interest to the greater community of Chester, PA. If you could like to receive the quarterly newsletters please join our mailing list:
WINTER 2016 Newsletter
| nia_news_winter_2016.pdf |
FALL 2015 Newsletter
| nia_news_fall_2015.pdf |
SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS
The Nia Center successfully completed a six week Summer Enrichment Camp experience for more than 50 children and youth. The camps were held at 4 sites with the main camp at The Nia Center on 2nd & Reaney Sts. The children participated in creative arts, poetry and sign language as well as a drug and alcohol prevention series. They explored various disciplines learning African Dance with Doc Gibbs, visited Hedgerow Theatre and strolled the streets of Media during an outdoor arts tour. They traveled to the Swarthmore College Observatory, Linvilla Orchards and to the Swarthmore Swim Club for weekly swim sessions. They also made puppets with Ms. Rachel, gardened with Terrance at the Chester Community Garden and shared in various arts field trips with Ms. Allison. They also created albums to store the photos, writings and memories of their summer experiences. Delicious lunches and snacks were provided by the Nutritional Developmental Services of the Archdiocese of Phila. This camp was led by Twyla Simpkins with assistant Stephanie Perez.
Other campers at the Chester Apartments Community Center shared in art experiences with Ms. Khayla from the Community Arts Center. Preschoolers at the Shiloh Development Academy and Center for Self Development were visited by Ms. Allison, with a series of various yoga classes from earth to outer space and beyond in cooperation with Angela Williams, Director, Pastor William Ashford, and Ms. Cooki.
Our closing celebration included baked goods from KYJs and drinks compliments of Acme Market. Special thanks to our sponsors: the Chester Economic Development Authority. Laborers Local Union #413, Workready & Community Arts Ctr.
WILL TRIPPLEY TUTORING PROGRAM
Nia is recruiting participants for this after school program that will start in October and run through May of 2016. 1st through 7th graders are invited to attend an academic program structured to improve reading and writing skills at the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA.
On Thursdays, 2 times per month, the children within CUSD are transported to the Shipley campus and are assigned High School mentors for individual assistance. The fee is only $10 per session and includes an after school meal, bus transportation from schools to the Shipley campus and back to individual homes. Bernadette Henderson is the coordinator, so call to register.
MAKE A DONATION ~ BECOME A MEMBER Donations are needed to support Nia’s efforts to provide services for our children and youth throughout the city. Donations are accepted by credit card at www.gofundme.com/thenicenter and by check by mailing to TNC address.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEBSITE
Please visit our website for updates on our programs @ www.theniacenterofchester.org and help us grow by “Liking” us on Facebook and sharing our Crowdfunding Campaign!
Watch for the next newsletter to hear about new changes in Nia administration and activities for all ages!!!
June 2015
Summer Arts Preview Newsletter
NIA CENTER GiVES THANKS TO:
Chester Apts. After School Program
Nia thanks the student participants, tutors from Swarthmore College & Widener University, as well as youth interns, Dh’zai Belgrave-Womack and DeJhon Story, for services rendered at this program. Special thanks also to Coordinator – Evoni Story.
Will Trippley Tutoring Program
Nia thanks the student participants, Shipley tutors, volunteers and staff for making this year memorable. Thanks also to Sunny Goldberg, Coordinator and Nia staff members Bernadette Henderson, Linda Richardson, Denina Hood, and bus driver, Curtis Johnson, for their faithful services.
Shiloh Development Academy
Thanks also to Allison DeSalvo’s World of Song, Nia Artistic Director, for working with these preschoolers during the school term. She also led them through watercolor painting and floral abstracts that were exhibited at the West End Art Fair. Nia plans to continue working with this group through summer camp activities in cooperation with Angela Williams, Director & Pastor William Ashford, III.
Andre Henderson Foundation
Nia has begun a second series of art classes, led by Artist-Linda Christianson, at Social Steps Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Community Hospital. We plan to exhibit some of the final pieces and will announce when they will be available.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS
The Nia Center has recently been advised that the Chester City Council approved our Community Development Block Grant. This means that we can proceed to provide arts, education and recreational activities for more that 50 children and youth this summer. We will be partnering with some of our local organizations, in addition to hosting the children at our main headquarters site. Registration has begun and a few spots are still available. The registration fee is $30, but then the camp is free! Camp will be held Tues, Weds, Thurs. from 10am – 2:15pm for 6 weeks beginning July 9th. Call soon if interested.
NIA ART FAIRS
The 11th Annual Chester Children’s Art Fair was held at the Widener Partnership Charter School on May 1st and the West End Art Fair was held at the J. Lewis Crozer Library on May 30th. Special thanks to the library staff and all artists who helped the children create such grand works. Thanks also to Allison, DeSalvo, Linda Richardson and Rachel Johnson from the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints – Widener Ward Group. Fairs were sponsored by the PA Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Widener University and Community Arts Center of Wallingford, PA and World of Song.
MAKE A DONATION ~ BECOME A MEMBER Donations are needed to support Nia’s efforts to provide services for our children and youth throughout the city. Donations by check are accepted by mail, call us and visit our website for the upcoming Crowdfunding Campaign!
MAY 2015
SPRING & SUMMER NEWSLETTER
FREE ART CLASSES:
Art classes for children and youth will be held on Wednesday, May 20th & 27th at the J. Lewis Crozer Library located at Seventh & Engle Streets. Sessions will be held from 4:00 until 5:30pm. Please call The Nia Center @ 610-485-2236 with student ages to enroll. The West End Art Fair is scheduled on Friday, May 29th from 4:00 until 5:30pm and all are welcome to attend, refreshments to be served.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP 2015:
Registrations have begun for the Summer Enrichment Camp to be run at The Nia Center for six weeks, beginning July 7th through August 13th. Sessions will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 10am until 2pm and will include arts, recreation, education, swimming, field trips, lunch, snacks and much more. Grades for campers from 1st through 8th. This camp is FREE and only requires a $30 registration fee. Space is limited so call soon if interested.
The Nia Center provides numerous arts and education programs throughout the City of Chester and is in need of donations in order to continue. Please send funding to our address listed above and become a member of our team!!!
MARCH 2015
SPRING NEWSLETTER
Chester Apts. After School Program
Nia provides tutors, from Swarthmore College & Widener University, as well as youth interns and artists for this program.
Artist Pauline Houston McCall, from the Community Arts Center of Wallingford, is completing a series of cultural activities.
Placemats for “Gift of Life”
Pauline McCall will also lead participants in designing placemats for a Philadelphia organ donor program. Sessions to be held March 17th and 31st from 4:00 – 5:30 PM. Please call if you are interested in participating.
Shiloh Development Academy
Allison DeSalvo, of World of Song, is conducting a music class series for the preschoolers in cooperation with Angela Williams, Director & Pastor William Ashford, III.
Will Trippley Tutoring Program
Nia continues to transport students to the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr on Thursdays. They recently presented poetry from various artists and will celebrate Chinese New Year this term.
Andre Henderson Foundation
Nia has begun a series of art classes, led by Artist-Linda Christianson at Social Steps Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Community Hospital, partnering with this foundation to offer arts for special needs participants.
FREE ART CLASSES
A series of art sessions will be held on Wednesdays, beginning April 1st, that will lead into our West End Art Fair. Please call
610-485-2236 if interested in participating.
Episcopal Place at Park Row
A Black History presentation was recently held with the Heritage Theatre & Friends Choir, along with Praise Dance by Monika Rhodes and Poetry by Stephanie Perez. Musician – Lawrence Wayne Bidgell led the experience in cooperation with Park Row Administrator Theresa Bey. Participants: Donna Childs, Josephine Davis, Shirley Richardson, Denise Royster, Gerry Saunders, Donald Saunders, Peggy Showell and Delores Freeman-Clybourn, Nia Exec. Director. Narrator was Joan Pearson.
Thanks to all!!!
JUNE – JULY 2014
THE NIA CENTER REOPENS!
We are pleased to announce that Nia finally moved back to the historic Ruth L. Bennett property at Second and Reaney Streets! Yes, the Nia Center officially started our Summer Enrichment Camp in the Wilson Memorial building on July 8thand and will run for six weeks. PENNDOT did an absolutely fantastic job with all of the renovations! It took several years, but they funded the extensive structural repairs and significant upgrades and we are thrilled!!!
We thank them and all of our friends for the donations of furniture and equipment being provided for our programs. Unfortunately, our building was slightly damaged due to PECOs recent transformer fire, however repairs will be done and the summer programs continue. The official Open House event will be held in early fall so watch for the announcement. Please keep us in prayer as we strive to be a blessing to the children and families of Chester, PA.
NIA CENTER WEBSITE
Special thanks to Allison DeSalvo for developing our site before traveling to China on a special arts assignment! More news on the trip when she returns? In the meantime, please check out the pages that she provided to give you a fresh look at the new Nia Center and our new home. Feel free to make comments and suggestions, and then watch for new additions to the website very soon!!!
DESHONG PARK EVENT
Special thanks to Helen Whittington, Penelope Reed, Ashli Rice and the Hedgerow Theatre team for the fabulous picnic and presentation held on Saturday, July 26th. The Nia Center campers from two of our sites were invited to participate in the lively “Seussical” music presentation and all had great fun. The plentiful picnic buffet was absolutely wonderful and we thank Miss Helen and the seniors for providing the delicious dishes that were made available for all!
NIA SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS
We are halfway through summer activities and our camps are running very well! The main camp, held at 214 Reaney Street, is comprised of two groups: the “Buds of Promise” (6-8 years old) and the “Young Explorers” (9-12 years old). Sessions are held from 10am until 2:15 with lots of arts, education and recreational activities.
Nia camps are sponsored by CEDA, Chester Economic Development Authority, however funding has not arrived yet, so donations are desperately needed. Our other camp sponsors include: Laborers Local #413, Swarthmore College’s Lang Center, Musicopia, Widener and Catholic Social Services is providing great lunches and snacks for the children daily.
Rachel Winchester (Lang Ctr.) is our Camp Coordinator and Stephanie Perez is Assistant. Community Arts Center of Wallingford sent artist Abby King for an art series that included drawing, painting, ceramics and large posters. The children go to the pool weekly with Bernadette Henderson, Allison DeSalvo gave yoga lessons and Maxine Johnson led the children through craft activities making puppets. Nutrition sessions were conducted by Joyce Rasin of Widener University and Dorothy Jones and Josephine Davis serve as our senior assistants.
Trips are scheduled on Thursdays and so far our campers have traveled to the Delaware County Historical Museum, Linvilla Orchards, downtown for the Chester Pride Historical Tour and to the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Doc Gibbs & Company comes for sessions of African Drum & Dance and you, as our supporter, are invited to attend the Thursday, August 7th assembly at 1:00pm for their closing activity.
Nia is providing instrumental music lessons in guitar for the Salvation Army Camp along with arts and crafts activities. Guitar sessions have also been held at our main camp as a result of a generous donation of 8 guitars from Musicopia. Song & voice sessions are being provided by Nia and Hedgerow Theatre staff.
Nia is also providing art activities for the Chester Apartments Summer Camp and for the Center for Self Development (Preschool) Camp.
WorkReady intern, Jacinda Murphy-Soto, was assigned for summer camp duties via Nefetaria Yates, a former Nia Center intern who mentioned that she will be available as a volunteer in the fall. DeAira Womack continues in Nia’s Youth Intern program through summer camp and we are seeking two others for the fall.
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MAKE A DONATION~BECOME A MEMBER Memberships are needed to support efforts to expand arts services to children throughout our city, and are available for all ages and families. Donations by check are accepted by mail. Nia also welcomes suggestions from the community that targets your and your children’s artistic interests. Please email or call us, and visit our website for more information!