From The Heart International Education Foundation

THE FOUNDATION IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A FACILITY THAT WAS DONATED BY THE METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT HOUSING AGENCY AND IT IS LOCATED IN A PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITY. MANY OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE 50 PLUS STUDENTS IN THIS COMMUNITY BEGIN HERE WITH PLANNING AND COLLABORATIVE MEETINGS WITH NUMEROUS PARTNERS. WE PROVIDE AN ANNUAL FASHION SHOW FOR 20-25 YOUNG FEMALE AND MALE STUDENTS; THEY ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND WORKSHOPS ON ETIQUETTE, CAREER PLANNING, AND WALKING THE RUNWAY. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE WORKSHOPS, OUR CLOTHES SPONSORS PROVIDE THE STUDENTS WITH BEAUTIFUL OUTFITS TO MODEL. THE FASHION SHOW DRAWS 100 PERSONS IN SUPPORT OF OUR YOUTH. OUR STATE OF THE ART STUDIO HOUSED IN THIS FACILITY PROVIDES YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE LYRICS AND MUSIC THAT OFTENTIMES SERVE AS A HEALING SOURCE TO MANY OF THE FRAGILE YOUTH. THE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE STUDIO IS PROVIDED BY OUR DONORS. STUDENTS WHO LEAVE THE JUVENILE CRIMINAL SYSTEM SEEK US OUT TO CONTINUE THE SKILLS THAT THEY WERE TAUGHT DURING OUR PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER THROUGH A GRANT FROM METRO ARTS. THERE WERE SIX STUDENTS WHO LEFT THE JDC AND ENTERED OUR YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM. TO DATE, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY TROUBLE AND ARE PLANNING TO PURSUE COLLEGE IN TWO YEARS. WE HOST TWO MAJOR CONCERTS ANNUALLY TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO TAKE THE STAGE AND SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS. THESE CONCERTS HAVE OVER 200 PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH AND IS SPONSORED IN PART THROUGH GRANTS FROM THE TENNESSEE ARTS COMMISSION AND METRO ARTS COMMISSION. WE HOST A MAJOR SOCCER TOURNAMENT THAT DRAWS OVER 150 PERSONS IN SUPPORT OF THE SPORTS, NUTRITION AND WELLNESS PROGRAM THAT WAS EXPANDED IN 2018. FUNDING FOR OUR SPORTS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND DONOR GIFTS. STUDENTS ARE TAKEN ON NUMEROUS FIELD TRIPS DURING THE SUMMER; ADMISSION FEES ARE SPONSORED BY DONORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. FIELD TRIPS INCLUDE MAJOR MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANIES; RADIO STATIONS; THE SYMPHONY HOUSE; COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME; SOUND AND AUDIO ENGINEERING INSTITUTE. THE 60 SUMMER STUDENTS RECORD A CD EACH YEAR PER ENSEMBLE AND THE COST OF THE STUDIO, PRODUCER, AND ENGINEER IS SPONSORED BY ARTS GRANTS.