Artspeak Radio with Whatsoever Community Center and InterUrban ArtHouse

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, February 2, 2022, noon – 1pm CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org
Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd talks with Charlie Gascich Executive Director Whatsoever Community Center and artist/Operations Manager InterUrban ArtHouse Wolfe Brack.

CHARLIE GASCICH, Executive Director- “Whatsoever Community Center supports the growth and development of families, by providing a variety of programs for children, youth, and adults to build a solid foundation for life.”

In 1915, the Whatsoever Circle, a women’s group of the Independence Boulevard Christian Church, established a soup kitchen in the basement of Erickson’s Café on Washington Park Boulevard (now Winner Road). The group soon realized the social needs of our community were greater than just hunger. Thus evolved Whatsoever Community Circle House. The organization grew out of the basement of the café into a house on Independence Avenue. The programs tailored to the hard-working families of the local industrial neighborhood. The continued growth of the mission and programs led Whatsoever to its current location in the Old Jackson School House. Our founders would be proud of the evolution of our programs to provide growth and stability for our local children, youth and families. We strive to foster a sense of community and a place for personal and family growth. Presently we offer services in Early Childhood Education, Youth Development and Family Growth. We believe in our families and Whatsoever we can do, we will do!

Community Services;
GED Classes
Self directed work toward GED certificate or increased literacy activities. This program prepares the student to take the GED exam. Flexible hours, homework assistance, and tutoring. 
No cost.
English Language Learning
Learn to speak, read, and write the English Language. Program is based on your 
individual level!
Please come at anytime to fill out an enrollment form and find out more information.

Career Assistance -
Help with job search, resume writing and developing employment skills. 

College Prep
Help with college applications, seeking financial aide, internet access, and tutoring.

Clothing Closet
Whatsoever’s Donation Closet is open to anyone. The donation closet contains items such as clothing, shoes, books, food, baby items and other miscellaneous household goods. It is always a first come first serve basis.

For more information, contact us at (816)-231-0227 ext. 101
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:30am-6:30pm. Tuesday and Thursday 3:00pm-6:00pm

Early Childhood Department;
The Early Childhood Department at Whatsoever Community Center is focused on child-initiated learning and creative development for children ages 6 weeks – 6 years old. Our program provides a time of fun, creativity, exploration, security, and compassion. The teaching staff strives to nurture the active and receptive qualities of their students in a safe environment.

Because of the many challenges facing young people today, the Pre-School curriculum (Emerging Language and Literacy Curriculum partnered with Creative Curriculum) at Whatsoever incorporates the development of social skills as well as scholastic preparation for our student’s transition to the public school system. In this way, we have been providing the Northeast Kansas City area with quality early childhood programming and services since 1952.

Infant/Toddler: In process of re-establishing program, check later for additonal information

Preschool Program: Educational program for children ages 2-6. Emerging Language and Literacy Curriculum.

Cost: Potty-trained $75/week full-time, Non-potty trained $95/week full-time, State assistance is accepted.

Ratios: The number of children enrolled in this program varies from year to year. The ideal staff/client ratio for Preschool is 6 to 1. Staffing for this department consists of a program director, lead teacher and assistant teacher.

Enrollment: Please make an appointment or call Cecilia Santacruz at (816) 231-0227 ext 106 to discuss the enrollment process and take a tour of the program. Enrollment packets are available in the Preschool Parent Resource Center. All forms must be completed and reviewed by the Director before a child may attend school. 
 
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:30pm
This program is primarily funded through United Way, client fees, the State of Missouri Food Program and Division of Family Services.
Youth Services is now accepting enrollment! At Whatsoever, we partner with young people to provide quality programming year round.
We provide opportunities for academic enrichment and social involvement while connecting youth with the larger community. In addition to homework tutoring, our after-school program offers many activities such as robotics, film making, animation, gardening, art activities, cooking, nutrition, drug prevention curriculum, and money management to name a few. Every day, recreation time to play in the gym, outside, or in our game room and computer lab is available.

Summer Programming is jam packed with activities. We grow, harvest, and prepare our own lunch every day. The days are filled with boys and girls leadership, nutrition, art club, community service opportunities, and field trips! Be sure and check out our Youth Page to see what Whatsoever youth has been up to lately.
Frequently Asked Questions:
• What age do you have to be?
We enroll 7-17 year olds
• What are your hours?
Afterschool Program hours- 3:00pm-6:30pm Monday – Thursday and Friday- 3:00pm-6:00pm
 Summer Hours- 8:00am-4:30pm Monday – Thursday and Friday 8:00am-4:00pm
*After-school Program hours have changed for the time being to accommodate for virtual learning. Check the PROGRAMS tab for current hours.
• ​​How much does it cost?
Our program is provided as a service to the community at no charge. Youth do however need to maintain a 75% attendance rate to participate.
• Are there any other requirements?
Yes. In order to better serve the youth academically, we need a copy of participants grade cards. Grades are important to us! We want all our youth to succeed in school, and do what we can to help them to improve their grades. Also, any information parents can provide is very helpful.
We are a United Way funded program emphasizing United Ways Quality Matters initative. We are also a COMBAT participant, featuring drug/alcohol and violence prevention.
For more information, contact, Eddy Guillen at (816)-231-0227 ext. 103

Whatsoever Boxing Club;
Since 1941 WCC’s Amateur Boxing Club has provided a positive outlet for youth in our community. Youth from our area participate in a program that provides the structure and discipline needed for positive development. Our young people train in the same ring that past WCC Golden Glove Champions used.

For more information contact, Eddy Guillen at (816) 231-0227
Boxing Hours: Monday-Thursday 4:30pm-6:30pm, Closed on Friday

Whatsoever Community Center, call us: 816-231-0227
Find us: 1201 Ewing Ave. Kansas City, MO, 64126
www.whatsoevercenter.org

WOLFE BRACK, Artist, Operations Manager InterUrban ArtHouse – InterUrban ArtHouse was founded and developed by local community artist, Nicole Emanuel. We began in 2011 as a series of conversations with artists, arts organizations and civic and business leaders. It was clear there was a void in arts resources and studio facilities for Northeast Kansas. 

The release of several reports including The Status of Artists in Kansas City, the Suburban Arts Business Plan, Arts & Economic Prosperity Study IV and Local Arts Index reports provided the hard evidence that points to a need for a cultural and creative hub at the Southwestern end of the Metro Arts Corridor, a region that stretches across the state line from Downtown KC.

Kansas City Metro’s creative renaissance is a unique arts ecology that is anchored in a diaspora of locations across a span across the state-line between Kansas and Missouri. InterUrban ArtHouse is just one of the hubs that act as an anchor along this metro-wide cultural corridor.
www.interurbanarthouse.org

Friday, Feb 18th, 5-8pm: ArtHeals exhibition reception. 40 artists address mental and physical health through their art. We’ll also feature work by our Artists as Activists 1k stipend award winners Harold Smith, Warren Harvey, and Natasha Ria El Scari.
Masks required.

Wed, Feb 23rd, 7-8pm: ArtHeals Storytelling Night produced by poet Sheri Purpose Hall – Storytellers and poets share their experiences around the intersection of art and health. Limited to 40 people, masks required.
Friday, March 18th 5-8pm: Her Art / Their Art exhibition opening reception. Masks required.
March 24th, 7pm: Joy Zimmerman album release concert: The Canvas Before Us

Opportunities for artists :
Her Art / Their Art call closes Feb 4th. All artists who identify as women or non binary femme are welcome to apply.
Queer Experience exhibition call now open to all LGBTQIA creatives. Closes April 30th.
Artists as Activists $1000 project stipends: Through a grant from the Mid America Arts Alliance, we’ve put together a micro grant opportunity for 3 artists to produce innovative and exploratory work to be featured during our major, social justice-themed exhibitions. The last round is for our upcoming Queer Experience exhibition.

Centerpiece Residencies InterUrban ArtHouse will be awarding 5 artist residencies and supporting the creation of 5 new, original “Centerpieces for Social Justice” . Artist residencies may include visual, performance, musical, digital and literary artists. Exhibitions and Centerpieces focus around social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

5 Selected “Centerpieces for Social Justice” award recipients are eligible to receive:

$2K towards an InterUrban ArtHouse studio for a 12-month residency period beginning March 1st.

$3K to produce work that aligns with one (1) of our “Centerpiece” exhibitions (outlined below).

Funding is from the National Endowment for the Arts.

There will be an in person and virtual Q&A session for this Wed, Feb 2nd, 530 – 630pm, at IUAH and via Zoom.
InterUrban ArtHouse is located at 8001 Newton, Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 283-7091

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