Soapstone
P.O. Box 370219DecaturGA30037-0219404-241-2453404-241-8500

Program: After School Arts Program/Summer Arts Camp Year Started: 1979 Focus: Multidisciplinary Arts & Humanities Youth Served: 120 Ages: 5-16 Budget: N/A When the Decatur Community Board declared at-risk youth the No. 1 challenge to the community, Soapstone, a cultural center, responded by developing the After School Arts Program and Summer Arts Camp for area elementary and middle school children. In the After School Program, students are provided with transportation from their school. Every student also is provided with homework assistance by a certified local teacher. After completing their homework and having a snack, students then work with the Soapstone staff in a multidisciplinary arts program. The students' final projects are presented to the community in a performance and exhibition. Area teenagers can assist instructors and counsel students in the Program. The Summer Arts Camp provides area parents with a safe and creative place for their children while they are at work. Its full day of classes offers a more intensive study of the arts and culture than the After School Program. The Programs at Soapstone not only highlight African-American culture, but also expose children to a variety of international communities and customs through performing, visual and language arts. Students learn the history of the customs and arts and discuss current events. Ariel Williams, the executive director, comments on the support of the Programs: "Parents see something valuable happening in the childrenĖs lives and are willing to donate their own money and time to see that the Programs continue."