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Zakaa Wins the Philadelphia 76ers Mentoring Art Project Contest

admin | April 27, 2017

Fresh Smiles helps Zakaa continue his piano lessons, but playing piano is not his only talent. He is a writer and an artist. Zakaa submitted his art to the Piliadephia 76ers Mentoring Art Project Contest and he won! The Mentoring Art Project is a Philadelphia competition to encourage youth to express their ideas about mentorship through visual and literary storytelling. The contest takes place in January to celebrate National Mentoring Month.

Zakaa’s art will be one of 20 pieces that will be showcased at a traveling art show. The exhibit will be at City Hall, The National Mentorship Summit in Washington DC, the Sixers Home Arena, and then permanently at Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Congratulations Zakaa! All of us at Fresh Smiles Foundation are so proud of you.

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I had an amazing time at Curtis YASP this summer. It was honestly the most fun I’ve had in a while. I made so many new friends from all over the world and got to experience so many different cultures and traditions. Also the musical faculty and staff were some of the best I’ve ever worked with. Even though there was a ton of musical repertoire to be learned, rehearsed, and performed, Curtis always made sure there was a fun activity or an excursion to be a part of.

There were many seminars with faculty and a variety of master classes to attend. I learned so much in only three weeks, not only from the faculty and staff but also from my colleagues. I can’t wait to do it again next year.

Thank you so much to the Fresh Smiles Foundation for all that you have done to make this summer one of the best I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you guys.

Thanks!
Na’Zir – Age 17
Clarinet

This year it was my first time ever connecting to Fresh Smiles Foundation. Our family was thrilled to be accepted in a timely manner to the program for after school art lessons. I have seen such an improvement in the way my child has developed through creative expression. My child looks forward to lessons every week. Fresh Smiles is a company that provides all they can for families in need. It was a pleasure working with the Foundation Coordinator, Katina Natale, who made everything from the application process to the approval of our grant go smoothly. They are interested in outreach and meeting the needs that children have, to be involved in after school activities. Fresh Smiles to me means a supportive group that is in favor of my child’s developmental skills at a school age level. Fresh Smiles breathes encouragement into dreams that become reality! Thanks for all you have done for us this year!

My 11-yr. old daughter said that having after school art lessons really helps her to enjoy the week without any added pressure. She said she loves art and is very happy and joyful with her teacher and all their projects. Thanks Fresh Smiles!

Cecilia – Parent

I can’t tell you enough about how transformative the Roots of Passage Program was for Paige. The biggest impact we were going for was that she ground herself and know herself better (acknowledging all that she has inside her) and it took the program to right her ship so that she can return from the program making decisions that will empower her in the long run.

I’m so happy to share that it was such an eye-opening success for her. The program was also full of intense reflective moments and some pretty profound realizations came up about what it was that she really wants in life. So valuable!!! Thank you for your all of your help.

Dan – Mentor

I wanted to thank Fresh Smiles for granting me the opportunity to dance again this year. Dance has always been a positive outlet for me, as I have gone through a lot in my life. With my parents separating my mom did not know how she was going to pay for dance class and Fresh Smiles granted me that opportunity.
When I was younger I was a victim of abuse and dance was my coping mechanism. It helps relieve stress, takes some of the weight off of my shoulders, and allows me to express my feelings through movement.
My dance teacher tells me how great I am and how much she loves my sass and attitude that I bring to dance. I hope to continue dance in the future and I am even going to apply to be a student teacher in a dance class for the upcoming season. I would love to teach younger dancers a healthy outlet for stress.
Thank you again for EVERYTHING.

Alyssa – Age 16

I want to thank Fresh Smiles Foundation for giving me the opportunity to go to the 76ers Summer Basketball Camp. I didn’t win any awards this time but everyone was very nice and helped me with my basketball skills. I met so many new friends. What I loved most was meeting kids from other countries. I also met some of the 76ers basketball players and someone from the Harlem Globetrotters. I hope I get the opportunity to go next year and my goal would be to win an award. Maybe I will become an NBA player when I get older and I will make sure you have free tickets to see me play. I love Fresh Smiles so much for giving me this opportunity.
Thank you!

Kaiden – age 12

My son Mekhi has been a recipient of a Fresh Smiles grant for the second year in a row. Mekhi attended the Sixers overnight summer camp for a second summer and he absolutely loved it. Mekhi has improved his skills a lot from the camp and he has applied his learned skills in his high school basketball. I really appreciate how the Foundation Coordinator corresponded with us the whole process. As a parent I felt safe and I felt like I could trust the organization. I can’t afford to send Mekhi to the Sixers Camp so I’m glad to know there are organizations like Fresh Smiles that continually help children fulfill their dreams.
Thanks again Fresh Smiles!

Shonda – Parent