In The Orchard (ITO) Programming for the Arts has been chosen as the recipient of Niagara College’s 13th annual Many Hands renovation project to be completed early April 2010.
“After many years of effort and numerous late nights I am delighted that my passion for bringing Arts to my community will now move forward dramatically. It truly needs ‘many hands’ to complete this vision. It is difficult to describe, but I know that this project is guided from integrity,” said Angie Geiss, executive director of ITO. “I am so excited to bring the community that I once grew up in, a solid and forever ‘Happy Place.’ I know that this partnership will empower a lot of people, especially our youth. Art has the power to create a healthy and vibrant community, and I can’t wait to get started on our programs once the renovations are complete, how exciting for all of us.”
In The Orchard (ITO), focuses on creating and providing innovative programs for youth, including “at-risk” youth in communities surrounding Fonthill, Ontario. By providing workshops, programs and events where the youth can freely express themselves through different art mediums in the areas of Visual Arts, Drama and Music, ITO believes that youth gain important life skills, including increased self-esteem and confidence. ITO is also home to The Happy Place Art Studio, where children ages 3-13 attend art camps. ITO is now partners with the Salvation Army in support of its “eARTh art” Program which teaches community members how to turn unwanted items into art, the secondary aim is to help reduce the amount of consistently donated items destined for landfills.
Many Hands, now in its thirteenth year, is a one-day community driven project organized by Niagara College students as part of the Event Management graduate certificate program.
The Many Hands Committee, composed of Event Management students, plans all aspects of the project, including the selection process in choosing the recipient, obtaining sponsors, and volunteer recruitment and coordination. Students in the Construction Engineering Technology program assist the project by completing required renovations prior to the ‘unveiling day’ in April 2010.
This year’s renovations will include the extending and upgrading of washroom facilities, rebuilding of a deck, replacing of doors, paving of the driveway and parking areas, and interior structural enhancement to the art display and program activity areas.
Applications for the project were accepted throughout summer 2009. Eligible agencies were required to be not-for-profit and involved in the provision of a community-based service in the Niagara Region, and willing to commit agency resources to the project. The selection of the project beneficiary was determined by the Many Hands Project Advisory Committee. The leading and founding sponsor, Canadian Tire Financial Services, will once again support the project.
The Hospitality and Tourism Division of Niagara College offers Event Management as a one-year Graduate-Certificate program. Throughout the program students are prepared for careers in the planning, promotion and execution of special events in the public, corporate and non-profit sectors. Students are required to organize a number of events, including the Many Hands project. For more information on the Many Hands initiative, visit www.niagaracollege.ca/manyhands or call 905-641-2252, ext. 6404.
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For more information, contact:
Jennifer Kapsch
Marketing Media Relations
Many Hands Project 2010
905-641-2252, ext.6404
jkapsch1@students.niagaracollege.ca
Shelley Merlo
Event Management Program Coordinator
Niagara College
905-641-2252, ext. 4233
smerlo@niagaracollege.ca
Posted by Niagara College Communications 
