How Saving the House Cleaning Money led to Art Education for Kids

“All great journeys start with a single step” – and so it is with the story of how the Youth Art Scholarship Fund got started at the Mountain Art Center in Ben Lomond, California.

Ten years ago, one of the local community members made a lifelong dream come true by starting the Mountain Art Center Youth Art Scholarship Fund.  Shari Edwards,  a single Mom of 3 small children,  wanted to take art classes as  a child, but her family was unable to afford it.  Over the years she kept her dream  of art alive in her heart for other children and finally found a way to help.  Shari noticed that  The Mountain Art Center (an Art Education non-profit organization) employed a cleaning service to keep the Gallery and Studio  neat and tidy.  She volunteered her cleaning service  with the condition that  the money that had been used to pay for cleaning  now be  deposited into a  Youth Scholarship Fund instead.

From this small beginning, the Youth Art Scholarship Fund continues to attract support from many quarters.  Local businesses, such as the New Leaf Market , make donations via “Community Days” where they provide a portion of their market sales.  The Ben Lomond Market donates via market card signups.  The Earth Matters Foundation donates in June of each year to make sure sufficient funds are available for the Summer Art Camp Scholarships.  Numerous individuals and other businesses and non-profits continue to give generously to make the dream of art a reality for local children.

The Fund provides 20 to 30 Youth Scholarships each Year.

The Youth Art Scholarship works with Valley Churches United and the Valley Resource Center to determine who shall receive a Scholarship.  Youth from families in financial or other crises; those interested in art.  All are carefully considered as scholarship recipients.

The Ripple in the Pond Effect

Shari could never have anticipated the effect her initial donations have had upon the lives of the many children who have since benefited from the Youth Art Scholarship Fund.  The ripple in the pond effect is powerful.  If you wish to add ripples of your own, you may contact the Mountain Art Center via their website at www.mountainartcenter.org – your donation is tax deductable.

Article written by: Suzanne Elliott – Freelance Writer – www.sueelliott.com