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Callanwolde's Community Engagement

Supporting underserved communities is an important part of Callanwolde’s mission. Our unique 12-acre campus, situated in the heart of Atlanta, provides the perfect sanctuary to inspire inclusion, belonging, creativity, and rehabilitation.

Callanwolde Community Engagement programs provide resources to a growing list of people who include:
– Veterans living with PTSD
– Veterans transitioning out of homelessness
– Children who qualify for Title I support
– Children who qualify for Title III support
– Low-income Seniors
– Adults with Disabilities

With your support, we can continue to grow these programs to meet the demand in our community for accessible arts education programs.

Art Classes for Veterans

Callanwolde offers painting and drawing classes on a weekly basis for veterans living with PTSD. We work with the Department of Veterans Affairs PRRC (Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center) to register the veterans. This class has proven to be a safe space for the veterans to open up, talk with other veterans about their experiences, explore arts expression, and allows them to take some well-deserved time to focus on themselves while experiencing the healing power of art.

We also offer Financial Aid to veterans that graduate from the PRRC program so they may continue their arts journey at Callanwolde. One veteran has gone on to find his passion in jewelry making and now sells his creations.

In 2022, Callanwolde began teaching art classes to veterans transitioning out of homelessness in partnership with the VA’s Whole Health program. With support from donors, we hope to dramatically expand this program to offer classes at Fort McPherson.

“Art Scholars” Workshops for Title I Students

Throughout the school year on Teacher Workday/ Independent Learner days students aren’t onsite in school and many parents often need to find childcare for the day. Callanwolde and Ameris Bank support these families by providing a day full of enriching activities for students, at no cost to the families. During these workdays Callanwolde will bring students from a Title I school onsite for a full day of arts education with some activities integrated with financial concepts, led by our professional instructors.

Activities will include:
· Clay
· Painting
· Drawing
· Creative Movement
· Extended Learning Sessions

As a part of the program, students receive breakfast, lunch, and snacks during the day.

With help from donors, our goal is to expand Art Scholars to Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools.

Dance Progressions Partnership

The Dance Progressions Partnership program offers free after-school dance classes for 4th and 5th grade students in under-resourced communities. Callanwolde partners with Title I elementary schools to teach classes once a week for twelve weeks.

Classes focus on classical ballet and jazz. Students are provided with dance shoes and a Callanwolde t-shirt. At the end of the twelve weeks, students are invited to Callanwolde Amphitheater to perform at a formally produced recital complete with costumes. Parents and guardians are invited to attend. Free transportation is available for a little over 20 percent of the students and family members, if needed.

This program is designed to create new opportunities for talented young dancers to be a part of a passionate dance group and inspire them in an artistic environment to pursue their love of dance.

Workshops for Title III Students

The Title III program targets newcomer immigrants and refugee children. These students have been in the United States less than one year and have limited English proficiency. Thanks to our donors these high school children are exposed to enrichment opportunities to expand their creativity and cultural awareness in ways they have never experienced before. Workshops include painting, drawing, music appreciation, and creative movement.

Financial Aid for Low-Income Seniors

Callanwolde offers financial aid to low-income seniors like disabled veteran Lisa Groves. Lisa values her classes at Callanwolde so much that she takes public transportation five hours round trip twice a week to attend her jewelry making classes.

With help from our donors, Callanwolde is expanding support to low-income seniors by partnering with senior centers in the greater metro-Atlanta area.

Financial Aid

Financial aid makes all Callanwolde programs accessible to people that would otherwise be unable to explore their passions, learn a new skill, or take some time each week for themselves. Currently, most of our awarded Financial Aid goes to young dancers that are on the path to dance at a professional level.

In addition to Financial Aid, we offer full tuition coverage for people living with disabilities. We'd like to expand this opportunity to partner with local organizations and provide personalized programs to fit their clients' needs. The demand for these programs and financial aid has increased significantly over the past year. Callanwolde is also continually working to find ways to create a more accessible experience overall in our classrooms and on our estate grounds, which can be made possible with contributions or volunteering.

The Ability Garden

The Ability Garden is a partnership project with Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance (trellishta.org) to build outdoor wheelchair-accessible gardens and offer horticultural therapy workshops to people with disabilities. These programs, held in a supportive and safe environment, promote inclusion, build community connections, act as a source of motivation, and empower through hands-on learning.

Some of the program groups are engaged in include basic garden education, garden art creation, art therapy with natural materials, flower arranging, and more. The success with the current groups we serve has created a higher demand for populations living with disabilities.

Organizations we are partnering with to provide personalized programs include Emory, Shepherd Center, Gigi's Playhouse, and the Ruby A. Neeson Foundation.

Grow With Us

980 Briarcliff Road NE Atlanta, GA 30306

(404) 872-5338 • info@callanwolde.org

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