City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts, the non-profit Arts organization that has been reaching out to at-risk children for almost 30 years, is pleased to announce that Max Adler (Glee’s Dave Karofsky, Switched at Birth’s Miles Conroy) will kick off Fresh Focus 2014 – setting in motion two very different online auction websites (Bidding for Good and Charity Buzz) October 1st at noon.
He will also kick off the in-person event at The Stagecoach Ranch, Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, CA on Sunday October 19th from 2:30 pm to 5 pm.
“As a young man starting out, I joined an amazing talented theater troupe and performed classical plays around Los Angeles,” says Adler. “Several of the troupe knew about Sherry and Bob Jason and City Hearts. I visited the program and saw for myself the amazing talent emerging from their Shakespeare program. I felt that if I could in any way help City Hearts and the hundreds of kids in Los Angeles who otherwise might never be exposed to Art or Shakespeare or Photography or Dancing, I could not help but get involved. As I watch these inner-city students become more confident, opinionated, and talkative – and see the light behind their eyes come back and their zest for life return, I know that they will take this into the world with them. It’s an amazing thing to witness.”
Adler has channeled much of his City Hearts energy into his Anti-Bullying campaign. “Through my character on Glee, I have really analyzed bullying under a microscope, and have talked with many experts as well as people who have experienced bullying. City Hearts helps me to bring awareness to kids that it’s totally OK to be who you are and to be original. That if someone is bullying you, it’s because they have their own issues and insecurities. I see a dynamic change as young people go through the various City Hearts programs. Not only are they having an intense artistic learning experience, but they’re also becoming more confident in themselves and in their outlook for the future.”
“It is important to me to keep this program alive and growing,” Adler adds. “That’s why I became involved in their yearly Fundraiser – Fresh Focus: The Story Behind the Shot I’ve seen the amazing photography that has been donated. I’m honored to be able to kick off their online auction and will be there to join with both the photographers and photography collectors at the event on October 19th. It promises to be a fun setting and a great afternoon. Most importantly, this is a way to really help and support City Hearts emotionally and financially, so that Sherry and Bob Jason and the wonderful people behind City Hearts can continue to help kids in these incredible Arts programs – and help change their lives for the better and forever.”
After over 29 years of working tirelessly to bring the arts to at-risk children, Sherry Jason’s enthusiasm for her work is as fresh as the day, as a new lawyer, she heard a 13-year-old piano prodigy play Mozart by year. A 13-year-old who had just been convicted of murder. It was then that she and her husband Bob formulated the desire to reach at-risk children – before the damage was done. Today, City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts continues to provide free classes in photography, Shakespeare, Dance and Music to Skid Row, Inner City and at-greatest-risk children.
For tickets, click here.
