A hope-filled night of celebration and stories with students, alumni, and supporters!
Our Fall Benefit was a beautiful night of encouragement and hope – many thanks to everyone who joined us and to our inspirational speakers. Samuel Vega, a CW alumnus and recent graduate of Hope College, shared about some of his experiences at CultureWorks and how relationships impacted him on a personal, social, and professional level. He shared his poem, Creed for a Loving Leader (included below), and reflected on the leaders at CultureWorks who impacted him by believing in all that he was capable of and who helped him wrestle with his identity, through the healing power of creativity.
Creativity in Leadership Award winner Josephine Suarez shared how CultureWorks became an integral part of her life over the past 5 years. She has accumulated over 200 volunteer hour with CultureWorks and is such a joy to have around. You can read more about her in our Fall Newsletter. Another Student Advisory Council member, Zoe, played ukulele and sang with a voice as sweet and spicy as a cafe miel – it was her first time performing in front of an audience and she said it was one of the best moments of her life. She shared impromptu about how CultureWorks has become like a family to her, easing the pain of not knowing her biological mother. We were so honored to have Alison Watson, Director of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council join us as well. She provided a bird’s eye view of the arts and culture sector in MI, and encouraged each of us to remember the ways that art has impacted us on a personal level.
Finally, Youth Pastor and Counselor Phil Quinn shared passionately about the importance of safe spaces for teens. As humans, we learn best through play and our capacity to grow is stunted by fear and shame. Artistic creativity nurtures growth by unlocking wonder and curiosity, which are vital to developing a positive understanding of the “other” and of ourselves.
We had record attendance with nearly 130 guests, and over half were completely new to CultureWorks. We’re so grateful for pledges and gifts totaling just over $30,000 thus far, and for many new members in the growing family of CultureWorks.
We’re so grateful for our event sponsors, DISHER and Home Heating and Air Conditioning. Thank you for making this evening a beautiful success!
CREED FOR A LOVING LEADER
You are the heart of a herd,
You are a linguist beyond time.
You are a warrior for bashful freedoms.
Coaching every kind of sapling,
You peek strategically skyward.
Towards gilded cobblestones,
Towards loving principles sublime.
Setting captive truths free
Remains one of your greatest joys.
An undying reverence,
For the tongue, the shield, and the key.
Fly high, your lands of ambition!
Salute every empathy’s blaze!
-Samuel Vega
Event sponsored by:
