Butler SUCCEED is just 17 miles south of campus. Butler is an underserved area when it comes to social opportunities for neurodivergent teens. A parent of two teens on the spectrum, Melanie Holzwarth, wants to positively influence this Butler County need and initiated her SUCCEED registered project. The focus aligns with the mission of SUCCEED and a target audience: youth, ages 13-21.
“By showcasing the talent and diversity of our youth and young adults, we can create an elevated sense of awareness for community members and visitors, by combining art with diverse viewpoints we are setting our community apart and attracting people to its uniqueness. More importantly, we can create a recreational outlet for youth socialization.”
SUCCEED projects engage the community through education, community empowerment and development. NeurodiverCity Teen Art coordinates art events around youth and family engagement. This initiative strengthens the ability to engage other community members to promote sustainability and further the quality of life across the County and within Butler City. Melanie’s project leverages the expertise of University professors, art and music therapists and community members in creating a sensory-friendly monthly event series.
During each monthly event, student volunteers assist with art-themed activities, communicate with parents or assist with logistics. This experience is perfect for better understanding the impact of socialization resources through a variety of creative initiatives. Education, communication and/or art students are especially encouraged to participate!
Want to volunteer? Join us for the Open House & Open Mic SUCCEED kick-off event on:
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
6:30 – 8:30 pm
To become involved, please contact the associate director of SUCCEED, at Josette.dau@sru.edu or like us on Facebook at Butler Teen DiverCity Art!