Middlesex County was incorporated more than 300 years ago and has among the most diverse populations in the state. CHIL' ART targets children entering the fourth grade. Some children return from one summer to the next, so ages range from 9 to 14. During 1996 CHIL' ART served 56 youth at two sites and reached a one-time youth audience of 125. Participants of CHIL' ART are all economically disadvantaged.
Unemployment is high among their families.
Many youngsters come from one-parent households or families in crisis. All have witnessed alcoholism, drug use, domestic violence, street crime and gang activity. A number of the youngsters perform poorly in school and test below their grade level. Most youngsters experience the support and encouragement of their families, who have developed coping methods and survival skills as they struggle against poverty, economic and cultural disadvantage and poor living conditions. Overall, however, positive adult role models who touch the lives of the young people are sorely missing.