The purpose of the choir is to make sure that youth are encouraged to represent and hone in on their musical talents. The platform is set for the choristers to learn about music, provide self-esteem classes, etiquette classes and basic life skills. We are destined to make boys accountable and productive young men.
The aim of the KCBC is to help participants become leaders who will have the tools to teach and pass on valuable information to their peers and families.
This program touches the lives of all people, of diverse backgrounds and socioeconomics georgraphical backgrounds and will reach a total of people ranging from pre-K through adult.
Need Within the Community
The KCBC provides exposure to the arts for many people (choristers, families, and community) within the Kansas City urban area who would not be provided the opportunity otherwise. In addition, KCBC through art supports the areas as defined below:
Education – Champions of Change: The Impact of Arts on Learning
A report commissioned by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. The results of seven varied studies clearly establish that learners can attain higher levels of achievement using the arts as a tool. Learning through the arts can actually help “level the playing field” for youngsters from disadvantaged circumstances.
The arts provide young people with authentic learning experiences that engage their minds, hearts, and bodies. The learning experiences are real and meaningful for them.
Researchers conducted their investigations and presented their findings independently, a remarkable consensus exists among their findings:
Kansas City Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund
Fortis Benefits
Kauffman Foundation
Sprint Foundation
Fields & Brown Attorneys-At-Law
Western BluePrint
J. B. Reynolds Foundation
American Family Insurance
Employment
Considering the proliferation of high unemployment rates among minorities and especially our youth, it is imperative that we train young people the skills necessary to open doors of business opportunities.
As our country seeks to train and re-train our workforce to prepare for new jobs, the arts should be a component of that training. According to the National Governors Association brief, The Impact of Arts Education on Workforce Preparation, “School districts are finding that the arts develop many skills applicable to the ‘real world’ environment. In a study of 91 school districts across the nation, evaluators found that the arts contribute significantly to the creation of the flexible and adaptable workers that businesses demand to compete in today’s economy.”
Community
Historically, the Kansas City area has been known for its music. This program showcases Kansas City talent while providing quality music as a source for fun and enjoyment by its citizens. It also serves posterity as a model for a positive portrayal and support of our youth.
The arts are reflective of the feelings of the people who create them. They transcend cultures and ethnicity. The arts provide students with a vehicle to express their background and heritage and to begin to understand others with whom they come in contact. The arts link genders, ages and socio-economic backgrounds. The arts can help students build an understanding of their personal histories while building contributions to their cultural heritage.
Choir participants come from diverse backgrounds from all regions of the Greater Kansas City area such as: Kansas City, MO; Blue Springs, MO; Raytown, MO; Lenexa, KS; and Overland Park, KS.
Over 95% of participants live in urban communities. The annual household income of approximately 60% of youth enrolled in programs is less than $40,000/yr (est.). The remaining participants have an annual household income within the $40,000-$100,000/yr range.
Race/Ethnicity of youth in our programs:
African-American 85%
Caucasian 5%
Native-American 5%
Other/Mixed Race 5%
Grant Request
One thing that we are very proud of is that our board is 100% financially involved. Not only does the board give at a rate of 100% but our volunteer staff and parents donate countless hours and services to meet urgent financial need and to meet the needs of the programs.
As we seek to take the KCBC to the next level, however, we are needing additional support to maintain existing and/or establish new programs. Because of our limited resources, we must work with an undersized budget for what we have planned. It would be great to receive a boost to our current financial situation. Funding from a major source would completely transform our organization taking it to a new level.