From the center of artistic self expression's healing power Express Yourself Milwaukee Inc. extends hope to young people in our community who are directly affected by violence and drugs on our most feared city streets, by the injustice in our social systems, and by the oppression of institutionalized poverty. EYM Inc. has discovered that our community’s marginalized youth can bare the burdens imposed on them daily by learning creative coping strategies through the artistic process. Until now EYM inc. was only a whisper in Milwaukee’s ear.
On Monday Feb 25 2008 Express Yourself Milwaukee Inc. held festivities at the Historic Turner Hall Ballroom. This year’s annual fundraiser was an explosive event celebrating EYM’s five years of service to Milwaukee's underserved urban communities. Bidders, buyers, generous donors, team members, band members, volunteer’s families and friends gathered together and painted EYM’s promising potential on the evening’s atmosphere.
Under a subtle glow of intimate lighting the ballroom bubbled with conversation. Some of the art work composed by the kids over the past five years lined the walls with delicious colors and cloaked the naked pillars. A large dragon stitched with individual scales painted on strips of canvas by kids from Our Next Generation ONG, an affiliate of Express Yourself Milwaukee, stood smiling at the audience. One of Express Yourself Milwaukee's own KT Rush and The Universal Love Band laced original tunes in and out and around the crowd seducing the body to move and the heart to feel. And it seems people felt moved to bid in the silent auction, which was a success. Calling the guests to communion, Louie’s Italian Restaurant released an aroma that seasoned the air with zesty herbs and spices.
After the feast, Express Yourself Milwaukee Inc. founder Lori Vance shared with the audience about a period of holding on to concerns and fears about the stability of EYM’s future. She implied that faith exposed the organization to people with fresh interests in the organization's existence and purpose. With EYM on the map the organization is continuing to attract caring and generous people. Judge Mary Triggiano, one of the EYM board members, delivered to the audience a poem written by a young male raised by and in the criminal justice system. He was unable to attend the event to read it himself. The poem was tailored around the phrase "It must be nice"... to have someone that cares about you, protects you, loves you, just to name a few of the lines I can remember. On the stage, the Rufus King Duo (whose names I can't recall) delivered a beautiful poem they wrote depicting a day in the life of an adolescent male. On the stage they used body language, movement, tone and expression in their delivery. I was fascinated and I commend their talents and their courage to perform on stage. They were able to bring the audience into the world of a boy. This segment of the program brought the idea of EYM mission to life. EYM’s progress as an organization and the work done with the children is the celebration.
Near the end of the evening it seemed as if the two larger than life handmade puppets posted on either side of the stage with arms wide open welcomed the audience to the music spilling from the stage onto the dance floor. Without hesitation many people participated in what looked like a tribal ritual. Voices were singing. Bodies were swaying, rockin’ and jammin’ with the guitar’s pleasant moan. Hands were clapping and feet were stepping, to the drum’s pulse. As people left, the evening’s creative, excited spirit danced out into the universe. Each person that touched and was touched by Express Yourself Milwaukee that night is a seed planted.
I am a volunteer and new to EYM Inc. but I have always been a part of the organization's mission. I am honored to have been a part of the celebration into the future. Through my personal lens I have attempted to transform these words into an imaginary photograph. I have struggled and failed to find sufficient descriptors to paint a picture of that night- how it looked and what it felt like to me. Some things can only be vividly remembered in the soul. So to conclude, the best way to sum it all up: it looked like people caring for people and it felt like love for humanity. Each day Express Yourself Milwaukee Inc. continues to grow is a celebration and louder than a whisper.
Fall 2008 Human Trafficking Awareness Week
Become Aware and Take Action
Come Join Trafficking Ends with Action for Fall 2008 Human Trafficking Awareness Week. Monday Dec. 1st "Trafficking in South East Asia." Tuesday Dec. 2nd "Human Trafficking: Two Sides of the Same Coin." Thursday Dec. 4th "Gina Allende Speaks on Human Trafficking in Wisconsin." All events will be held in the UWM Fireside Lounge starting at 7pm an
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