John ’62 and Ruth Huss give $100,000 to Green Street Arts Center After School Program
April 14, 2008
John ’62 and Ruth Huss, of Minnesota have donated $100,000 to Green Street Arts Center (GSAC) in support of operating expenses and the Center’s growing After School Program in Middletown’s North End.
This gift from a Wesleyan alumnus and his wife realizes the Green Street Arts Center’s goal of attracting broad support for the community from Wesleyan alumni, from federal, state, and local sources for the Center’s broad-based youth programs. Recently, GSAC also received a $75,000 grant from the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority (CHEFA). That grant funds the After School Program and initial implementation of the Program's health and wellness initiatives.
Over the past three years, the Green Street Arts Center has provided a safe, nurturing, and productive place for Middletown area children and young adults to explore their creativity and develop practical skills for everyday life. The multidisciplinary After School Program focuses on academic performance, discipline, self-expression, peer relationships, and exploration of the arts. The Program currently provides homework assistance, mentoring, and arts enrichment to 61 children ages 7–18. Participants take classes in dance, music, drama, visual and media arts.
The program is open to all students, but a significant number of at-risk youth are recruited and need- based scholarships are given to cover 90% of their tuition costs. Green Street’s sliding-scale tuition and impressive scholarship program afford all children the chance to experience the program, regardless of their economic background.
Green Street announced recently that it has attained 90% of its fundraising goal for FY 2008, which ends June 30. Jessica Carso, Associate Director and Director of Development emphasizes that more support is needed to fund the Center’s ambitious initiatives in support of Middletown area youth. “We are extremely grateful for these generous contributions from the Huss family and CHEFA. Our success in attracting this needed funding is encouraging, yet we have far to go in support of these young people. Continuous support is vital in ensuring that each and every student in our program can rely on the Green Street Arts Center being a significant part of their lives for years to come.”
