Temple University Chapter of Artists Striving To End Poverty Helps Underserved Philadelphia Youth

Conceived and founded by Broadway music director/music supervisor Mary-Mitchell Campbell (THE ADDAMS FAMILY, BIG FISH, FINDING NEVERLAND, the upcoming TUCK EVERLASTING) and Julliard students, Artists Striving To End Poverty (ASTEP) connects performing and visual artists with underserved youth in the U.S. and around the world to awaken their imaginations, foster critical thinking, and help them break the cycle of poverty through exposure to the arts.

The Temple News reports that one of ASTEP's newest chapters is based at Philadelphia's Temple University, to serve children in a city where only 174 of 218 total public schools have a visual art teacher and just 25 have an instrumental music teacher on site.

"Creative movement is something that is definitely very helpful in terms of creating that safe environment for kids to express themselves," says Cindy Paul, the chapter's president and a sophomore dance major.

"By simply providing the opportunity for these students, it's not like we're going around with a huge flag trying to end the cycle of poverty, but it's definitely a start," explains vice president Julia Haines, a sophomore fibers and material studies major. "I think as modest as our achievements may seem, I think they're big achievements in the kids' lives."

Members will visit the schools once a week and create lesson plans to teach various art forms. Temple's ASTEP chapter strives to create an interdisciplinary platform for the students to nourish their creativity.

"So many schools have closed down and a lot of schools have lost arts funding," says Heather Birmingham, a freshman musical theater major who attended the chapter's first meeting. "I got an email about this club that was starting, and I thought it was the perfect way to combine arts and community service. I think it's important as an artist to give back to the community."

Paul regards the elections of City Councilwoman Helen Gym and Mayor Jim Kenney as reasons to feel optimistic about the future of Philadelphia public schools.

"I think that while people are taking care of the more political side of things, there should be people coming into the schools to take care of the more educational direct teaching aspects," Paul said.

Paul said her vision is "quality over quantity."

"I think this club is very unique because it offers a lot of opportunities for individualized learning," Haines says. "You really get to create something, and make a difference. Personally, I haven't seen a club like that."

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