The Mission-Vision Committee of the B.O.L.D. (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition has continued to work towards its goal to establish an arts program for youth 14-25 as an alternative to drug involvement at a meeting at the Father Diaferio Community Room on June 2, 2009. The group envisions the establishment of a center in Fall River where youth can listen to new bands rehearse, use networked computers, try out new painting styles, learn new hip hop dance moves or just drop in to see what’s up. The project, now named YEAH! (Youth Experiencing Artistic Hope) is rapidly moving to get off the ground with logo design contest and a hip hop launch party with C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band sponsored by the Narrows Center for the Arts at the Gates of the City on July 17th. The group is currently working to form a formal board and by-laws and is seeking resources in the way of useable space and potential sources of funding. Click here for photos of an earlier planning session in January. Click here for a video about a similar effort in New Bedford. For further information, contact BOLD staff member contact Susan Wolfson at Stanley Street Treatment & Resources, 508-235-7032.
 

(Top row, left)  Fall River Housing Authority Family and Youth Services Coordinator Joseph DaSilva talks with former Peaceful Coalition member Pheaktra Sambun while BOLD staff member Susan Wolfson hands an agenda to Housing Authority summer staff member Ronnie Chhot before the meeting begins. (Top row, center) Painter-photographer and Arts United president Jeff Carpenter makes a point about the logo contest as Jorge Cabrera,  Stefani Koorey and Amanda Donovan listen. (Top row, right) B.O.L.D. volunteer Amy Curry Bassett chairs the meeting. (Middle row, left) Melissa Costa Doyle agrees to assist with organizing the July 17th event at the Gates of the City as B.O.L.D. volunteer Jay Hennings looks on. (Middle row, right) Ronnie Chhot agrees to a hip hop dance performance at the event. (Bottom row, left) Amy Curry Bassett talks with BOLD staff member contact Susan Wolfson and BOLD Coalition's President and Coordinator of the Bristol Community College Center for Developmental Education Ron Weisberger after the meeting. (Bottom row, center) Ray Gordon, executive director of the Children's Museum of Greater Fall River Inc., chats with Museum president Jo-Anne Sbrega before describing the recent "Fall River As I See It" project to the group. (Bottom row, right) Susan Wolfson talks with musician Russ Orcott after the meeting.