---

Our Mission

West Humboldt Park Center for Performing Arts (WHPCPA) brings music, dance, and drama to children living on the West Side of Chicago, from Kedzie to Pulaski and from Augusta to Ferdinand.

The Center has a growing list of programs in drama and music, but the children who participate need and receive much more than training in the arts. Campers and club members receive a safe refuge when school is out, opportunities to travel outside of their neighborhood, mentoring and reinforcement in productive attitudes and behavior, nutritious food, and a place for their families to interact and for friendships to thrive.

WHPCPA even sent Nakeisha Kimbrough to Ghana West Africa! She went with a group chaperoned by Lanette Stigsen: they were hosted by the Krokobitey Institute. When she returned she shared her experiences with the group, making the distant African continent a real and reachable entity to them.

"My daughter has been exposed to a repertoire of fundamentals associated with the arts: behind the scenes theatre process involving lighting, stage presence, ballet, ballroom dancing. On top of all that, she has been given nutritious meals, and has been required to be respectful and show excellent manners. It is so important for our youth to be respectful and courteous to one another, to make playing and learning an even more powerful experience. This program does an excellent job of teaching them how to behave appropriately."

"My daughter had the great honor of playing Ida B. Wells. Thanks to this program, my daughter and her peers have learned about history, helping shape their academic knowledge base. The program is also helping to shape their character in a positive and constructive way. The Center staff treats my child like a family member."

'"The West Humboldt Park Center has been a Godsend. My daughter has been blossoming into a self confident, motivated young lady. She is outgoing and becoming quite the little actress. The Center has also been very helpful and encouraging as far as assisting with her school work. I have seen an improvement in her grades."

"I am a single parent and work very long hours. This Center means a lot to me and my family, knowing that my children are in good hands and learning something that can help them in life."

"I was so moved by the positive energy of these students: the eagerness to learn and do well. I thank God for the staff here because I feel a sense for safety for my daughter who is in this program, and see an opportunity for great things not only for her but for future youth."

---

Our Vision for the Future

WIth no Boys or Girls Clubs, YMCA, or Park District activities nearby, WHPCPA hopes to grow to serve many more kids and to provide a wider range of arts. The size of the current facility and staff limit the scope of offerings. We now have more than a decade of responsible and creative administration behind us: we are confident we will one day have the arts center and faculty worthy of the potential and needs of the West Humboldt Park community.

Grants and donations are gratefully received and publicly honored. They will be carefully utilized to make the West Humboldt Park Center for Performing Arts a community resource that can serve as a model to other neighborhoods in Chicago and beyond.

---

From Our Beginnings in 1998 The concept paper for the WHPCPA was created in January 1997. As the idea for a performing arts center began to take shape, several people were asked to help pull together the pieces. They graciously complied and became the founding board of directors in September 1997. They were: Chairman - Wesley Walker Vice-Chairman - Vance Henry Secretary-Barbara Scott Treasurer - Erika Poethig Director - Maria Cleveland Founder & Executive Director - Marti Foster The non-profit status for the WHPCPA was granted in May 1998.

Our 1999 Cast