Graffiti 2 Community Ministries has been serving the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx for fifteen years. Initially beginning service to the community by focusing on the needs of children and youth, Graffiti 2 soon developed strategies to address the needs of adults within the neighborhood.
Statistically, one in five young adults in Mott Haven are considered “idle.” They are not in school and are not employed. More than 46% of the adult residents in the community are not in the workforce, including 11% of adult residents who are officially unemployed. Additionally, there are thousands of first-generation adult immigrants.
Graffiti 2 Works endeavors to meet these challenges through a two-fold approach. Providing adults access to personal growth resources through an Adult Learning Center and developing micro-enterprises to provide employment opportunity.
Graffiti 2’s current micro-enterprise is an artisan group that makes and sells sewn goods. The talented artisans in this group manufacture items such as handbags, purses, headbands, scarves, lunch-bags, key fobs, and lanyards. These items are sold on Graffiti 2’s website, at mission fairs, and with Graffiti 2’s national partner, WorldCrafts. World Crafts’ mission is to develop sustainable, fair-trade businesses around the world.
Learning sewing skills and selling products not only provides Graffiti 2’s artisans with a job, but also helps build self-esteem, develops relationships among the artisans, and encourages faith in God.
Graffiti 2’s Adult Learning Center offers adults in Mott Haven an opportunity for personal growth and education. The Adult Learning Center offers one-on-one coaching for the high school equivalency exam, one-on-one coaching for job-hunters and entrepreneurs, group classes for adults, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Participants that attend this modeling event will be engaged in hands-on-ministry as well as learn the principles and best practices that guide the work. If interested, ongoing coaching and support can be provided to those seeking to implement similar ministry in their own contexts.
This event will take place at Graffiti 2 Church and last from 2:00pm - 6:00pm.
United States
New York
Bronx
18+
$0.00
English