The Tyro Program mentors at risk youth and exposes them to art, music, and culture in the attempt to inspire hope and dreams in these impoverished children.
I grew up in extreme poverty and abuse. My life was a nightmare. At times I felt as if life wasn't worth living and I came close to giving up several times, because no one cared to foster love in my heart.
As a man, I'm still that little lonely boy inside, hurting, yearning for love and acceptance. So I know kids won't just grow up and be OK. And sure, there are people who've had rough lives that didn't need help, but not everyone is that strong, I wasn't. Out of the vast majority of the cases of child poverty, abuse, and abandonment, those broken children grow up to become the broken adults who will rob, rape, and murder innocent people. I'm a living example of this. Those people, that were like me, fill our prisons today, and maybe that kid who ditches school will fill a bed in the future. Therefore, we, as a community, must act.
With just a little inspiration a kids life could drastically be altered for the better. Instead of looking up to drug dealers and thugs, I want to help these kids see that life has so many opportunities and that they can succeed if you work hard. They aren't told that enough and just give up on their dreams at the first obstacle they approach.
The program works like this: I work with the homeless liaisons that councils the most unfortunate kids in our public school system. They contact me and I arrange for the children to become a "Tyro", which is the medieval Latin word for squire or apprentice, to myself or other artists. These Tyro's will get a crash course of art history, learn to draw, paint, sculpt, visit art galleries, art shows, operas, ballets, musicals and museums with real artists. Then, when the artists, or myself, have a art show, the Tyro's will be involved in setting up the show, getting firsthand experience of the "behind the scenes" of a real art show... Then they'll attend the show and get to be involved in something far larger than they could ever imagine... And that will make them dream... That's my goal.
I've pledged 10% of all my art sales to this program. I hope everyone realizes how serious the need is to have mentors in our community and at the least pledge to encourage that local bad kid, and even take the chance to invite them to a barbecue, get to "Know" them, and you'll understand and fall in love with them.
*20% of the funds collected support the management and staff liaisons who plan events and escort the children.
*80% of funds collected go to the actual events the children attend: art shows, art galleries, art tutorials, art museums, etc. and also for art supplies.
Hopefully you'll want to fight this battle with me.
Never stop dreaming and Always love,
Johnathan
