December 2009

Welcome to Azalea Blossom Incorporated’s Second Annual Newsletter!
A few weeks ago, while I was rummaging though old papers in an attempt to clear out space in one of our spare bedrooms, I came across an article that was written about the younger sister of my dear friend, Christina. This girl had been a very talented singer and actress and had, in fact, played the lead role in the musical “Annie”, which had taken place in the community of Petaluma, California, where I used to teach music. She always dreamed of becoming famous, and did, in fact, become very famous. Unfortunately, her fame was not the kind of which she dreamed. The girl’s name was Polly Klass and the story of her kidnapping in 1993 was one of the most tragic and most publicized cases in our country in recent history. It is no surprise or secret that the man who took dear Polly’s life had also been brutally abused as a child. When my son asked me how anyone could have done such a thing to a child, the first thing that came to my mind was: “That man hadn’t had the opportunity to take the SAFE through the Arts program!”

What is SAFE through the Arts?
SAFE through the Arts is a weeklong educational program for middle school students on the prevention of domestic violence and abuse using visual and performing arts as its main mode of instruction. It is based upon three key components: Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence. The program, which encompasses ten New York State learning standards as well as a variety of arts modalities including theater, drumming, movement, journaling, drawing and collage, culminates with the showing of students’ creative projects as well an assembly concert featuring a five-piece pop band playing songs relevant to the program. The objectives of the SAFE through the Arts program are for each student to gain understanding of the problems of domestic violence in all its forms; for each student to learn tools to help recognize and prevent him or herself from engaging in abusive relationships; and for each student to come away with a greater appreciation of who he or she is and what unique talents he/she is able to contribute to his/her school, community, and society as individuals; and for students to gain exposure to a variety of creative and performing arts to use as tools for self-expression and creative problem solving.

We have a lot to report since last year’s newsletter! Since the launching of the program into public middle schools this spring, the SAFE through the Arts program has taken place in four upstate New York counties. Duanesburg Middle School in Schenectady County, Margaretville Central School in Delaware County, Berne-Knox-Westerlo Middle School in Albany County, and Germantown Central School in Columbia County have all been grateful recipients of SAFE through the Arts. You can learn more about the SAFE through the Arts program as well as watch the “Bricks in the Wall” music video on the web at www.azaleablossom.com

New to the SAFE Program!
In addition to receiving five days of curriculum, a fifty page handbook full of valuable resource information as well as activities pertaining to the three key components of the program, the students now have the opportunity to sing the SAFE through the Arts theme song with the band at the concert. Beginning with the SAFE program at Germantown, the school chorus teacher now works with the students a week prior to the SAFE program to help them learn the song. This is an additional way in which students engaging in the program will empower themselves with the message of self-affirmation.

Why the program is so important
The challenging economic and turbulent times that we are facing has added to an increase of domestic violence cases throughout the nation, making it more important than ever for students to have violent prevention programs. Following are comments by students who have participated in the SAFE through the Arts program explaining why they feel that the program is important: “This is a very important program because it teaches students how to prevent violence with hands-on activities.” “The program teaches students to be kind and respectful.” “This is an important program because it teaches you to avoid domestic abuse and gives you help to get out of an abusive relationship.” “It raises people’s self-esteem and how they feel about themselves.” “It is an important program because it helps people who are not brave to stand up for themselves.” “It was a great program”.

How funding is utilized
When to date, one hundred percent of all individual, foundation, and cooperate support not specifically marked for operating expenses has gone towards programming of the SAFE through the Arts program. This has included generous support from the New Heritage Music Foundation, Target Stores, Stewarts Shops, Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation, Mc Murry Charities, and the Bulova Gale Foundation in addition to all of the very generous contributions from many individuals like you.

A general breakdown of how funds are utilized follows:
$1= Collage poster-boards for ten children
$5 =A fifty page SAFE through the Arts handbook for one child
$15= Collage poster-boards for all students in an average SAFE program
$25= SAFE through the Arts handbooks for five children
$50= Handbooks for ten children
$200= One day of instruction of SAFE through the Arts to an average of 150 students
$1,250= A week of instruction (including prep and follow up/assessment time)
$1,500=The cost for a five piece band and sound engineer for the assembly concert
$3,500=The average cost for a SAFE through the Arts program

$5 goes a long way!
There is no a better time to donate than now! All contributions, great and small, are hugely appreciated and are completely tax deductible per 501 c3 laws. Donations to Azalea Blossom Inc. help to ensure that the program will continue to thrive in schools throughout the state and country. If you are unable to contribute financially, please consider volunteering some time. Volunteer opportunities available with Azalea Blossom Inc. including serving on the Board of Directors and/or a special committee, ushering at concerts, and helping at fundraising events. Internships for college credit and community service hours for high school students are also available.
On behalf of Azalea Blossom Incorporated, I would like to thank all of you for your support. Your monetary contributions and words of encouragement help us to continue our mission of bringing awareness, education, and tools of prevention of domestic violence and abuse through the use of the arts to youth and the general public nationwide.

Margaret Bernstein, Founder and Executive Director
Azalea Blossom Incorporated

How to donate to Azalea Blossom Inc.

1) Make donations through PayPal at www.azaleablossom.com/pages/donations.html

2) To download the donation form click here.

3) Click and drag the image below to your desktop and print it.

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