Edwin Campos

If you guide children in the right way, they’ll know what’s right. If you don’t give up on them, they can learn from their mistakes. --Edwin Campos--

Edwin Campos is in his fourth year as program assistant at the Cook Library Center. His brother, Javier, is involved with the Cook Arts Center, and together they have become an integral part of the GAAH family. [See next week's blog for information about Javier Campos.]

Growing up in the neighborhood surrounding the Cook Library Center and Cook Arts Center, Edwin has seen the challenges that the area has had to endure. Thankfully, through the work of many organizations, the neighborhood is undergoing major changes for the better. There are new buildings, walls free of graffiti, community gardens, and plenty of after-school activities for children of all ages.

That is why he enjoys his work at Cook Library Center so much. The Library offers a safe place for children and youth to read books, get help with their homework, or just have a good time. Adults aren’t left out either; they can receive Edwin’s help in Spanish and in English with business letters, resumes, and computer classes.

Edwin strives to be a role model for the children who visit the Cook Library Center. He wants them to see him and say, “He graduated from college, so I can do the same.” Edwin challenges students at the Cook Library Center to “step up and be respectful, because they will be the next role models for the neighborhood’s youngsters.”

It is a challenge to make drastic changes and improvements in the neighborhood. Encouraging youth to step up and set the example is all part of the transformation to which Edwin is committed.

Rhyme Rumble

The Cook Arts Center was ready to rumble last Friday at the Wealthy Theatre. We were pitted against eleven other nonprofits in the Rhyme Rumble, a karaoke competition at the Wealthy Theatre sponsored by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network. Program director Steffanie Rosalez wrote and performed a mission-related rap to the music of Party Rock Anthem, and our breakdance and salsa dance students twirled, spun, and boogied like there was no tomorrow.

Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice trophies were awarded, and the Cook Arts Center walked away with both of them! Hooray!!

Día del Sol

Here’s a sneak preview of one of the quilts that will be available for purchase at Día del Sol on June 21. These young quilters have been involved in every aspect of its design and production, and they’ve been having a blast!

Día del Sol takes place on June 21 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the Cook Arts Center. It will feature great food catered by Tommy Fitzgerald, the music of Villalobos, dance performances by Grupo Tarasco and MI Peru, and eclectic silent auction items. Tickets are a bargain at only $25. Call the GAAH office at 742-0692 or e-mail mkuipers@gaah.org for more information.

LaughFest Winners!

We are delighted that two members of the GAAH Press Club won LaughFest’s essay competition. Avelycia O., age 12 and Shirley H., age 8, read their winning entries on March 11 before an appreciative audience at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

New Girl, by Shirley H.

There was a girl named Manure. She came from YOU'RE UGLY to Michigan. It was the first day of school when I, Gisele Diaz, went to meet her. She had a hideous bow on her head, one eye, no teeth, smelled bad, actually hairless (bald), and has big, humongous terrifying fingers.

After gym she wanted to take a shower so all she did was put fly shampoo all over herself! Joey, a kid she likes (cool and popular) said “Yuck! I don’t want to stick around you.”

On her birthday she went home to You’re Ugly and there was a flood in the city. Then she smelled like fish so a man said “You smell good!” and ever since she got married with the man. The End.

The Boy Who Wants a Pet, by Avelycia O.

There was a boy who wanted a new pet. The boy was so scared to call his dad at work but he had to get permission to get his wish! He called his dad and his dad was furious.

“Who in Jelly fry Beans is this?”

“Yo Momma!” He hung up.

“Shoot. Who in the world hangs up on his own son? Oh wait, he didn’t know who I was.”

He called him again. “Hello?” “Hello, is Mr....Um,”

“Yes, he is here. Let me go get him for you.”

“Who in the WORLD is Mr. Um?” The boy thought.

“He, ah, ah, Achoo!”

“Who is this?”

“Um, um, let’s see, um. Oh I know! Oh wait, I forgot, um.”

“Now I see why his name is Mr. Um. I’m just going to hang up.” The boy said, frustrated.

“Hmmmm....Do I really want a pet? OF COURSE! It can cheat on my homework for me, buy me, well, cookies with...doggie bites!”

He hurried up to dial his dad’s phone number and when he called, this happened: “Hello, how may I help you with your emergency?”

“CHICKEN NUGGETS ARE QUACK DUCK TACK!”

“What is your order sir?”

“Who am I talking to?” The boy thought.

“Yes, I would like an extra cheesy, AND I MEAN CHEESY, nuggets with a spit of ketchup, and a cat’s furball drowned with HOT CHOCOLATE!”

But if he comes up with something so weird, the person won’t believe him! Let’s have some fun.....

“Ok ma’am, that will be served to you in 2 hours. We got your address from your Caller ID, so thank you.”

“OMG! What am I going to do?” The boy thought.

Ring Ring!

“Hello?”

“Son.”

“Yes, Dadda!”

“Do you want a pet today?”

“Yes!”

“After you call back all of those people and tell them sorry for calling them for a stupid pet.”

“How did you know?”

“I know what happens with my phone.”

Then the dad hung up.

“How in the world did he...” Right then the boy noticed he had “Parent Supervision” mode on his dad’s phone. That’s why parents know what their kids do when they are gone.

Words R Us

“Will this project help my brother come back to us after being deported?” This question was asked by an eighth grade student Southwest Community Campus (SWCC) when her class was introduced to their assignment for the semester: write an article about immigration or injustice, create a piece of artwork to pair with the article, and then publish the article with the artwork and share your story.

Alejandro Escamilla teaches journalism to seventh and eighth graders at SWCC. His “Words R Us” project is a collaboration of journalism and art, designed to help give his students an outlet and a voice. The students are busy working on their writing assignments, and in March they will pay weekly visits to the Cook Arts Center to work with Reyna Garcia, a local artist whose work focuses on the subject.

Read the entire Rapidian article at http://therapidian.org/8th-students-use-art-and-journalism-tackle-subject-immigration