Young Harlem Artists Raise Money for Children in Angola and India Through Silent Auction. Teaching East Harlem Children Humanitarian Responsibility Through the Arts

On Monday, September 22, 2003, art students from Boys & Girls Harbor will present checks to Concern Worldwide US's project in Angola, and the Sulaxmi School for Girls In India, though the Gift of Life project which raised $13,000. The event will take place in the 5th floor gymnasium at the Harbor located at One East 104th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9/15/03   
Contact: Nina Olson, 212/427-2244x577                nolson@boysharbor.org
        Julio A. Torres, Jr. ext. 504         jtorres@boysharbor.org
      
Young Harlem Artists Raise Money for Children
in Angola and India through Silent Auction

Teaching East Harlem Children Humanitarian Responsibility and Global Citizenship though the Arts

East Harlem, NY -(PRWEB) September 15, 2003--- On Monday, September 22, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. art students from Boys & Girls Harbor will present checks to Concern Worldwide USs project in Huambo, Angola and the Sulaxmi School for Girls in Lucknow, India through the Gift of Life project which raised approximately $13,000. This presentation will take place in the Fifth Floor Gymnasium of Boys & Girls Harbor at one East 104th Street at Fifth Avenue in East Harlem.

Press is welcome and encouraged to join with us as we witness and acknowledge the sensitivity and generosity of Harlem youth. In attendance will be Harbor Founder & President Anthony Drexel Duke, Chairman Stephen J. Dannhauser, Executive Director Hans E. Hageman, Artist and Philanthropist Danny Simmons, Lisa de Kooning, Nancy Druckman Vice-President from Sothebys Inc., David Givens, Chairman, Community Board 11, various elected officials and community leaders along with representatives from Concern Worldwide.

Boys & Girls Harbor art students raised the funds through a silent auction of their collages during the Eleventh Annual Boys & Girls Harbor Salute to Achievement Luncheon on April 29, 2003 at the Waldorf-Astoria. Local galleries and artists including the Museum of Arts and Design and the Asia Society also contributed works to the auction.

The Gift of Life is a project directed by artist Filomena Cornelio, a Cultural Art Director at Boys & Girls Harbor, a multi-service youth agency in East Harlem. The project teaches children about their peers in underprivileged communities around the world. Last years project focused on Sierra Leone and through the students artwork funds were raised to purchase limbs for amputee youth from the region. After raising $11,000 and having the prostheses purchased, Harbor students began their journey as philanthropic global citizens. Enjoying tremendous success from the first project this years students, age 11-18, from the Harbors substance abuse prevention program and the Program for Adolescent Choices and Transitions focused on learning about life in Angola and rural India. Due to this experience students felt compelled and inspired to help other less fortunate children by creating collages depicting what they learned about life for the poor in these countries.

Many students expressed their feelings about the auction for the benefit of their peers, Dawudeen Maynard, age 18, said, Its good to think of others instead of just yourself all the time. Life is very hard in Angola, people cant travel or plant food and they have to worry about land mines planted during the war. They are struggling." Yahaira Hernandez, age 11, added, Were raising money to help build schools for girls in India so they can get an education and have jobs."

The success of the silent auction led to other notable honors. Mrs. Nane Annan, wife of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, recognized the accomplishments of the students by inviting and guiding them on a special tour of the U.N. and holding a special reception attended by other U.N dignitaries from Ireland and the U.K. mission. Following the auction the art was exhibited at the Blue Heron Art Center, El Museo del Barrio, the United Nations and at Sothebys. This public acknowledgement positively reinforced the value of the Harbor childrens generosity and raised their confidence and civic mindedness.

This experience provided an excellent opportunity to teach our children about philanthropy and giving back not only to the local community but to the global community. For them to look outside their day-to-day lives and help someone else is profound. These students walked away from this project empowered and aware of their own ability to make a difference in the lives of others," explains Ms. Cornelio. Executive Director Hans E. Hageman added, At a time when Americas role in the world is being critically examined, the Harbors East Harlem and Harlem youth have made an important statement about the power U.S. citizens have to make a positive impact around the world."

Boys & Girls Harbor Inc. is a multi-service non profit agency located in East Harlem. Established in l937 by Anthony Drexel Duke as a camp for underserved youth, its mission is to empower children and their families to become full, productive participants in society through education, cultural awareness and social service. Under the leadership of Executive Director Hans E. Hageman, the Harbor maintains its view of the primacy of the arts in the quest for a holistic and satisfying life for young people. The establishment of the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, the Raices Latin Music Museum and the Harbor's Visual Arts Program all demonstrate the Harbor's commitment to cultural awareness. The Harbor's year-round programs annually serve over 6,000 children, young adults and their families with direct services in programs that range from nursery, pre-school and after-school care through performing arts training, college preparation, behavioral health services, computer and science training, teen parenting services, and the Harbor Science and Arts Charter School. The Harbor also operates a year-round camping program at its campsite in East Hampton. Alumni have included a state Supreme Court justice, Broadway actors, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers and philanthropists.

Concern Worldwide US has been working in Angola since 1993. Some of the organizations activities include large scale feeding centers for malnourished children, ongoing programs in nutrition and health in the three provincial capitals, distribution of farming tools, seeds, fruit, firewood trees and small animals. Concern Worldwide US also provides long-term development programming such as rural development, vocational training and micro finance/credit projects. Concern Worldwide US is an apolitical, non-denominational organization committed to the relief, assistance and advancement of people in need in the least developed areas of the world. Founded in 1968 in response to the Biafra famine, Concern Worldwide has an expansive international team of workers, with operations in 31 countries including offices in New York, Chicago, England, Scotland and Ireland. For information, please visit their web site www.concernusa.org.

Sulaxmi School for Girls was founded by Bernadette and Hans Hageman in 2002. Sulaxmi, which means learning, health and prosperity", is located in Lucknow, India. This primary school provides education for low-caste" Hindu and Muslim girls and provides hope for a better future.
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