I'm From Driftwood

This past weekend I had the honor of volunteering with I'm From Driftwood. This is a nation-wide organization that produces videos of the LGBTQIA experience in this country, funded in part by the Smithsonian, and represents all walks of life. Here are a couple pictures from the first ever Philly brunch at the new John C. Anderson apartments:

Our duo-We raised $800 with raffle tickets by schmoozing up to people!

A photograph during the event! It was packed by the end!

VISION

I’m From Driftwood envisions a world where every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer person feels understood and accepted, and every straight person is an ally.

MISSION
I’m From Driftwood aims to help LGBTQ people learn more about their community, straight people learn more about their neighbors and everyone learn more about themselves through the power of storytelling and story sharing.

Increasing empathy and empowering individuals is accomplished by creating an apolitical forum for LGBTQ stories from every age, race, gender, background and culture. The stories deepen our understanding of each other, preserve history, and open hearts and minds.

VALUES
The most personal and meaningful stories are shared when the storyteller is in a trust-worthy, welcoming, judgment-free environment. I’m From Driftwood strives to create that environment on every level, whether you’re a long-time supporter at one of IFD’s events or a first-time visitor to the site. Be yourself, be comfortable and let’s get to know each other.

I really suggest watching this video about what I'm From Driftwood is about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHdKPa6Ue30

I have talked to Nathan Manske, the Co-Founder and Executive Producer, about staying involved as I travel for the next year and he said that would be wonderful. This is an organization that does exactly what I want to do with the LGBT movement. I think it is very important not to stay hidden in the urban centers of gayborhoods and liberal values. I think it is important to assist the gay guys in rural areas that have no way out and feel isolated and trapped. I am proud of the gay movement and I think it is time to reach it out on a nation wide level!

Thank You to UArts

One day I was sitting in my Script Analysis class at UArts trying to complete my reading assignment for the week. We had to read Angels in America by Tony Kushner, and while I knew it was going to be a wonderful play, it was the week before finals and I was tired of school and working so hard. But since we had a quiz, I read the play. This play changed life. It refreshed me on why I have been working so hard for my degree. The climax of the show is when the lead character says that gay people but band together and create the change in society they wish to see. Three years later, I still follow that statement. I am continuous inspired by the work they assign us in class and I think if UArts has taught me one thing, it is to create the artist by finding your authentic self and what will really drive you for the rest of your life. This is very important with Musical Theater because the entertainment/commercial market can get very superficial and appeal to what other people want from you. You try and appeal to different artists to hire you and so with that comes changing a little bit of who you truly are. So, our business of theater class makes it very important to determine your needs versus wants, your values versus goals, and makes it very clear about why you do this, what you want in life, and how you can achieve this. So much of this industry is chance and you really have to take one day or one contract at a time so I have so much to thank UArts for for making me such a grounded artist inspired to create new work. 

Missoula Children's Theater

I am so happy to announce that I booked a 12-month theater tour directly out of college. I am so happy to announce that I booked a 12-month theater tour directly out of college! This is extremely rare for an actor or artist to go straight to a job but a week after graduation, I will head to Montana for a 10 day intensive training before I ship off for the next year. I did not plan on teaching children's theater ever but when I heard them talk about their mission, I got so inspired and realized that it is exactly what I want to be doing right now. Their mission is as follows:

"We live in a highly competitive era. Youngsters are introduced at an early age to the critical realities of our achievement- and success-oriented society. From academics to athletics to social interaction, children are pressured to get the best grades, to score the most points, to have the most friends. At the same time, segments of our society tend to view the arts as a luxury, a frill, an extra-curricular activity running a distant second to the popular status of sports. Add to these conditions the natural curiosity of the child, the tendency toward self-exploration, the adolescent impatience to put away the things of the child and emulate adult role models—for better or for worse. Pressure. MCT approaches children with a full awareness of these conditions and strives to use participation in the performing arts as a vehicle to develop the life skills (social skills, communication skills, self-discipline, a strong work ethic, an understanding of the team concept and self-esteem) necessary to answer the challenges of our time.

Although MCT's programs tour to major metropolitan centers, MCT remains dedicated to providing financially accessible arts experiences to all communities, regardless of size or economic status. Many of the communities served by MCT are isolated, culturally deprived and/or economically depressed. Live theatre participation, qualified drama teachers and educationally sound music programs within the curriculum are often non-existent or low on the priority scale. Constructive opportunities in the performing arts are rare, and the chance to spark a new interest often goes unkindled. MCT's programs can and do provide the kindling to ignite the flame of interest.

Within each MCT cast, girls and boys are equal; the disabled become able; the shy experiment with bravery; the slow are rehearsed to perfection; and the gifted become part of the whole. The lesson they learn is that all of them are necessary for the show to go on. Few arenas exist where responsibility is taught and learned so clearly. MCT provides a unique opportunity to learn the lessons of group dynamics while excelling as an individual—a lesson from art that carries into life."

I was so inspired by the thought of teaching the next generation that I knew that the way to change society is through children while their minds are still in development. I have been having a love/hate relationship with theater and how we reach the 99% of people who aren't in these liberal places and so this could not have come in a more amazing time in my development as an artist. 

If you are interested in watching a video about what it is all about click the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqt8WCU3LXw&feature=youtu.be

More the Just Mail

Receiving mail is a luxury often taken for granted and even loathed by many.  For the everyday citizen we expect bills, Insurance Ads, bills,the occasional congratulatory card from relatives or the amazon delivery made last week, and bills.   However, when ones housing situation is precarious or non existent the concept of a mailing address is not an option. When a mailing address is not an option, jobs, benefits, and medication by default evaporate from the realm of possibility. 

The Mail Room at Broad Street Ministry Makes this a possibility.  By Allowing those who are in temporary housing programs, homeless, or moving often due to life circumstances too use Broad Street Ministry as an adress host for guest to use as their own.  

With this service we have broken down the door of impossibility for hundreds of people a day.  Guest appreciate the mail service as it can be the only stable thing for someone at the moment.  The service for for some become a ritualistic in this way, even when not expecting mail guest come, "I didn't think I had anything but I just like to drop in," I was told once as I checked a mans folder for his days mail. Some weeks later he would flag me down teaming with excitement, "Hey! you hand out the mail at broad street" he shouted out with a grin stretching across the corners of his face.  

To provide happiness simply by handing out mail is a true pleasure. 

 

The Breaking of the Bread
By: Tito F. Williams II

Enjoying a meal, wether it be hot or cold, sitting down or on the the go, pan sered or microwaved, is often taken for granted and over look by most, going through out the day thinking "I want to have (blank) for breakfast, I have a taste for (blank) for lunch, and lets eat out tonight." For some, thoughts such as these are but an unobtainable feat.  For those on public assistance, in temporary housing, or homeless, the concept of a guaranteed meal is an inaccessible luxury.  Food stamps are available however can run out before the end of the month and soup kitchens can be a demoralizing a depressing experience.

Why not provide a full restaurant experience for those in need of a meal.  4 days a week from 3:00pm - 5:30pm this is possible. As one enters the doors of Broad Street Ministry's sanctuary, he/she is greeted by a lovely host, free to sit at a table of their choosing as music moves through the space.  Cloths cover tables, topped with decretive center pieces, thirst quenching ice water, and apatizing bread.  Volunteers fan out to assist and mingle with the guest entering the doors as the days dinner prepared by Chef Steven Seibel  makes its way from the kitchen to the stage in the sanctuary. Here meals are plated and then served to the tables by volunteers. Guests enjoy a hot professionally chef cooked meal, seated serving, and warm inviting faces. This experience at Broad Street Ministry is what is known as Breaking bread.

I spent a total of three months assistant managing Tuesdays breaking bread service.  During that time, every Tuesday night I had the pleasure of witnessing one of the greatest displays of human peace and love I have personally ever seen. Broad Street Ministry's Breaking Bread service transcends a simple meal for those in need. The service provides a family.  Individuals from around the city come and experience love with in this room.  From friends taking part in the meal to volunteers and staff developing warm relationships with the guest that walk through the doors.  Breaking Bread mends a distance cercomstances have created within those who hard times have fallen upon.  As we Break Bread in filling stomachs, Broad Street mends a heart in hopes it may bare another day until the struggle has ended and better has arrived.

EboniJoi McNeill | Introduction "Why I Volunteer"

Volunteering at The Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence 

Siblings Rasul & Hannifah Brown
Volunteering at The Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence 

I am EboniJoi McNeill, I am 21 years of age and was born in Wilmington, NC. I am the youngest of seven siblings and in my household my parents made certain that all of their children understood that even though we were struggling to get by and keep a roof on our heads, we were still better off than a great deal of others. They emphasized the values gained in community service work and that we could be a blessing to someone everyday! As time went on I began to integrate the idea of giving back and being a positive influence on others into my everyday life. 

Not only did my parents stress the importance of community service, but they also made it a point to teach all of their  children about Black History and where we came from. They taught us about the leaders of our race dating all the way back to the inception of these United States. As well as a deep and empowering lesson on how we developed in the United States as a people and how the values and principles of community service really built the momentum behind that movement. And as I became an adult I held tightly to those stories and they influenced me greatly.

When I moved to Philadelphia to attend The University of the Arts, I realized that I moved here to do more than just study music  but to also change the Greater Philadelphia Area for the better! I truly believe, and I tell numerous people that I received a calling to move to Philadelphia. I chose to believe that that calling was from God, however regardless of what the major influence was from, I'd always grown up wanting to move to Philadelphia but not knowing exactly why. Yet, when I moved here I soon realized that reason. Philadelphia's Black community is massive and many of the black families living in Philadelphia are struggling. I received the opportunity to meet U'Arts alumni, Michael O'Bryan, and he soon informed me of the state of black children in Philadelphia. It broke my heart when I heard of the extreme hardship and trauma they endured everyday. Some of which I could identify with myself as a black child of a low income family in a major city. Mike subsequently invited me to volunteer at his job, The Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence. A shelter for families displaced from their homes. In this shelter lives numerous black children who have witness or experienced first hand more traumatic experiences than their peers of other races. With that in mind I decided to dedicate myself to the advancement of Philadelphia's black youth. I wanted to be a positive influence on them and show them that even though you or your family live under the poverty line; your parent(s) aren't employed; you aren't even a teenager but you're taking on the great responsibility of raising your younger siblings; you can still prosper and not become a statistic.

I volunteer because I must. Because if it wasn't for volunteering and community service I wouldn't be in the position that I am in now. Based upon the conditions that I grew up in and statistics, I don't belong at the University of the Arts nor do I belong in any other higher education institution; yet I beat the odds so did all of my siblings and I want to past that blessing along. I WILL PASS THAT BLESSING ALONG! 



Robert Glasper f.Lalah Hathaway & Malcolm Jamal Warner

(This is a song that I think encompasses my reason for volunteering. I invite you to listening)

Volunteer Beginnings

Hello readers!

My name is Tito Williams, I am sophomore student at the University of the Arts.   Growing up in Wilmington Delaware, I came to the city of Brotherly love to pursue my Education in art and design while making a positive impact in my community.

After 3 months of living full time in the city, exploring, enjoying the food and festivals, I felt as though i needed to do more. I wanted to become more then a contributing student, instead I would also become apart of this community by serving those in need living within. I started my search for volunteer opportunities in center city. I spoke to my advisor and she sent me in the right direction.

In no time I was volunteering at Broad Street Ministry, where I serve the philadelphia homeless, temporary and full-time assisted housing community in a number of ways.  By Getting involved in their  mail distribution, art therapy, and meal programs, I feel the benefits of the small but needed impact in the philadelphia area.

Through this volunteer experience I am learning, "volunteering is not only a service to others but a service to myself as well."

Tito F. W II