Agency Details:

Mission: FutureSelf Invites Transformation through the Arts.

The name FutureSelf was chosen to indicate our belief that anyone can have a great life no matter what their past has been.

We give low income, underserved youth in the Pikes Peak region the tools to embrace their innate capacity to create and ignite their own power to transform their lives. FutureSelf provides low-cost, arts-based workshops and community service opportunities for experienced youth artists, on-site programming for the most “at-risk” populations (such as incarcerated or homeless youth) and are currently developing an entrepreneurial program for “our kids” to get paid for their own productions.

Description:
FutureSelf’s mission is a response to unfortunate statistics which indicate that Colorado Springs youth have a higher pregnancy rate, use more illegal drugs, and die from suicide more than teens nationwide (Gazette Telegraph 2005). Moreover, a study conducted in Arapahoe County showed that 15% of the juvenile delinquent population tested in the top 3% of intelligence and the majority of these youth exhibited a spatial learning style associated with a combination of giftedness and learning disabilities. The lack of organizations committed to nurturing this learning style, coupled with reduced art classes in public schools has left a creative void for young people, especially those at risk of entering a detrimental lifestyle.

FutureSelf is currently the only organization in the region exclusively geared towards using art as a tool of rehabilitation for at-risk youth.

History:
We began with one weekend workshop in 2000 to demonstrate why art is an important vehicle in reducing juvenile crime and improving academic performance, while building communication, self-discipline and problem-solving skills. In 2001 FutureSelf was formed, to provide a safe space for teens to be authentically self-expressed.

In the past eight years FutureSelf has reached roughly 1000 people working with judiciary, schools and mental health professionals, to name a few.

We are uniquely adept at showing “our kids” that the skills they gained from the challenges in their lives are some of their most remarkable personal and marketable assets- their innovation, empathy and keen instincts. We help them see that their difficulties may actually provide them with a creative edge and emotional intelligence that can lead to successes they never imagined.

Our mounting expertise in this field fosters an evolving continuum of programming; from the first workshop, a confidence builds with every session until youth move into mentoring others, completing high school, proceeding to higher education and/or creative careers and entrepreneurial ventures.

Contact person: Sara Gallagher, Communications Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

210 E. Cimarron Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.futureself.org

Directions:

I-25 to Cimarron exit, head east on Cimarron, pass Cascade, Tejon and Nevada. Gallery is located on the north side of Cimarron Street, between Nevada Avenue and Wahsatch. Parking and entrance in the back.   Nearest Bus Stop: Downtown terminal on SW corner of Kiowa and Nevada

Last updated on August 11, 2010