We offer a wide range of art instruction, including sketching, painting, drawing, graphic design, robotics, and media sessions with sound engineering, TV camera operation and editing. Our current goal is to implement programs at Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, IL, to engage students in drama, script writing, prop building, graphic design, dance choreography, and media technology, which reinforce the basic elements of STEM and foster life improvements for at-risk youth. By combining the multi facets of the arts with the technical aspects of design and engineering, youth will not only enjoy the interactive after-school elements of our program, but will excel academically.

What demographic do you serve? TruVision serves at-risk youth aged 12 to 18 in underrepresented communities throughout Chicago and the South Suburban areas. Without proper support, many of these youth are in danger of going down the wrong path and need guidance to build skills in self-confidence, teamwork, job readiness and resilience.

What geographic area do you serve? This program services students in Chicago and South Suburbs within Cook County.

Our demographic is culturally diverse. For example, in Chicago Heights alone there is 41% African American, 34% Hispanic, and 23% Caucasian to be serviced. We also serve communities in South Suburban Illinois like Ford Heights, Glenwood, Sauk Village, Lansing, Lynwood, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, and South Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Markham, Hazel Crest, Homewood Flossmoor, Matteson and Country Club Hills, IL.

Our Youth Development programming encompasses multiple facets of design, performing arts and media access. Instructors combine five design and three media disciplines within our after-school program where students are taught theater, vocal arts and dance and also learn sound engineering, media access, robotics and technology, culminating in an interdisciplinary project at the end. Students will participate in creative exercises that over the universal elements and principles of interdisciplinary design, including design process, brainstorming, thinking on paper, problem solving, and constructive criticism. Students will develop a solid understanding of marketing principles, design/fashion creation, the roles and responsibility of graphic designers, and how architecture relates to design and affects their community and daily lives. We expose students to mentors and speakers, they are also attend field trips to reinforce their instruction. Field trips often include major television stations, film production studios, Broadway in Chicago stage play, and museums. Proposed times for after-school is Monday -Thursday 2:30 to 5:30 or 3:00 to 6:00pm. Our summer arts camp is Monday – Thursday for 6 to 8 weeks.

Additional information that you think is pertinent: By combining Arts, Media, Design and Technology, TruVision teaches students the skills they need to achieve success and a spirit of leadership. Our program not only gives youth something constructive to do after school and during the summer months, but also gives them an opportunity to learn a skill from people who genuinely care that could inspire a future career.