About Project G.E.M:

• Project G.E.M. (Growth, Experience, and Motivation), established in 1993, is a local south central outreach arts education nonprofit organization.
• Our program offers a variety of educational services for special needs youth with a focus on positive mind, body, and soul development.

                                                Mission and Vision:

• Coordinate, plan, and implement artistic based programs for youth-at-risk to help develop their creative self-expression. Project G.E.M. implements these activities with the help of community volunteers and college service learning students into youth facilities.
• Our mission is to provide arts based cultural, environmental, holistic and social educational opportunities to at-risk and special needs youth and young adults, which are needed to fulfill an educational gap.

                                                    Who we serve:

• Services for youth ages 5-18 placed through a special needs facility or agency.
• Facilities can be group homes, day treatment centers, alternative learning centers, or other county based programs.

                                Direct outcomes from the program:

• Better choices for a healthier lifestyle
• Change in attitude about themselves and the world around them
• Creative self-expression through the arts
• Improved social skills, self-growth and awareness

                                    Program services and activities:

• Art education
• Creative After Thoughts, after school art class
• Community involvement by volunteering for a local event
• Creative writing education
• Drug, alcohol, violence intervention/prevention program activities
• Music education
• Service-learning team leadership with college students
• Theater/drama education

                                    Partnerships and connections:

• Clubs, organizations, and community agencies
• Community volunteers                                                   
• Local area businesses
• Local colleges and  post secondary institutions