Project Create is committed to enriching & transforming the lives of at-risk children in Washington, D.C. by providing them with professionally-led arts experiences. At-risk children, specifically those living in emergency, transitional, and long-term affordable family housing, have little or no access to the arts. Project Create brings the arts to these children by working in partnership with social service organizations that offer family housing.
Western Presbyterian founded Project Create in 1994, partnering with Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School, to provide children with access to arts education in an after school setting. In 2004, following a careful evaluation of its programs and partners, Project Create decided to move in new direction – providing at-risk youth with access to the arts through partnerships with established community organizations. Its current partners are So Others Might Eat (SOME) and Community of Hope. Although the partners and programs have changed over the years, belief in the importance of the arts in children's lives remains constant.
Warren Wilson College — Western provides annual support to Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in 1894 as the Asheville Farm School to educate boys from the Appalachian mountain area, it served this role as a mission school of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church. Later it merged with the Dorland-Bell School for Girls to become a coeducational secondary school. In 1942, a junior-college division was added and in 1966, the school became an independent, four-year liberal arts college. In 1981, the College added its only graduate program, the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing. The school's program is based on academic studies, work, and community service. In addition to their studies, students log 15 hours a week on one of 75 work crews. They commit 25 hours each year to community service. Our pastor, Rev. John Wimberly, previously served on the College's board.
SW Neighborhood Association Scholarship Committee is a project of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly. Since 1974, this significant community effort has provided aid in the form of grants, encouragement, and support to more than 200 students who live in Southwest D.C. The grants are awarded each summer to students who live in Southwest, and who are high school seniors, returning college students or full time students pursuing an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
Peaceoholics — Incorporated in 2004, Peaceoholics promotes conflict resolution within gangs and neighborhoods. Through its various programs, Peacoholics strives to enable youth to be drug-free and crime-free productive members of their communities. Prevention and intervention services are offered in the following areas: HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and family wellness.
LINK — Linking Communities for Educational Success is a year-round out of school time organization that provides academic help and mentoring to middle school students in the District of Columbia. After-school hours are a critical time for young people, particularly middle school aged children. It is during these hours that most juvenile crimes occur. Students are engaged in activities that teach better work and study habits and that improve self-esteem and inspire future success.