TechMission Corps member provides innovation and leadership to arts program in after-school care.

As the Director of the Performance Art program at Grace Renaissance After-School Program (GRASP), TechMission Corps member, Thierry Pelissier helped urban youth display and develop their talents through singing, dance, poetry and speeches. With funding from a grant, Thierry was able to bring innovations to the program by negotiating the purchase of a music studio, where he dedicated his time to training students in the basic components of recording music. With the expertise gained on this new equipment and the singing skills nurtured by Thierry’s choir direction, the children produced a Christmas Album. This album serves as an example of the improvement of the student’s skills and self-assurance under the direction of our AmeriCorp member.

Thierry’s also assisted GRASP in raising $1,000 through their fundraising concert. Students at GRASP along with their parents participate in this performance, which seeks to build the confidence of the children at GRASP by encouraging them to perform and speak in a public setting. The fundraising concert also asks artists to perform at the concert for free in order to attract a further audience. Through Thierry’s recruiting efforts GRASP was able to book artists from the Boston area that, in total, would charge more than $3,000 to perform. These artists performed along with the children from GRASP, generating necessary revenue for the after-school program. Our AmeriCorp member’s invaluable service at GRASP allowed the organization to maintain their sustainability through these fundraising efforts.