The Community Foundation recently granted $15,000 for the Unity for Youth program run by Restoration Christian Community Church (RC3). The overarching mission of the great work being done through Unity for Youth is tearing down the walls of separation and unifying diverse opinions.

RC3 is “a place for kids” says Director Tony Miller. “We want to support the kids in whatever their dreams are, whether they want to express themselves through any type of art or music, learn about specific careers, or if they need help with their homework. This is a place for kids.”

The grant was a collaboration between the Community Foundation’s main Grants Committee and the Blue Water Arts Committee (BWAC) that combined funds to support the work of RC3. The grant will be used for weekly programming and special events that promote college and career readiness such as college tours, homework help, youth entrepreneur seminars, and leadership development. Unity for Youth partners are committed to creating an environment where youth and young adults thrive and succeed.

Funds will also support expanding and developing their Creative and Performing Arts Department by adding a visual arts component, developing technical skills, providing summer outreach opportunities, and transforming current facilities into a Community Arts Center.

Incoming board chair of BWAC, Tom Walker, said, “The arts are proven ways to strengthen and enrich young people. RC3’s Unity for Youth program is an outstanding example. RC3’s devotion to its youngsters through music and other aspects of the arts is inspirational and worthy of Community Foundation support.”

It is the hope of Director Tony Miller that the lessons youth in the program are learning today, through the college and career readiness programming as well as the creative and performing arts programming, will inspire the unifying solutions they implement tomorrow.