URBAN ART RETREAT

At Urban Art Retreat, we used to provide services to folks on-site who had physical and mental disabilities before we located here. Now we have to provide services to people with physical limitations off-site only. We want to change that by building a ramp on the front of our building. It must be a U-shape because of the needed dimensions. Plus, our porch and front steps are not in good condition (they are crumbling) and we don't have railings. We want to make them safe. We have not been able to keep a working light fixture on our front porch because of rain. We want to add an awning to keep things dry and to have shade so the front door and door handle are not so hot. We also want to enlarge the door opening of our bathroom. https://gofund.me/60da2b39

We have received estimates of $10,000.00 for this work. We have raised $1050.00 so far. We hope to raise $9,000.00 to be able to pay for this work and be able to serve folks with physical limitations such as using a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair.

Please help us so we don't have to say- NO.

Urban Art Retreat Programs: women's residence, traveling art experience & discussions program, art gallery for under-represented artists, international social justice exchange program, neighborhood support program, animal welfare program, nature is nurture program, peace parks honoring black history program, youth art program. www.urbanartretreat.com

Help us add to our diversity by welcoming people with physical limitations to our space.

Why we started the Urban Art Retreat

Three artist/activists met and ultimately founded the Urban Art Retreat in 1984. We felt it was important to put our energies toward providing a safe place to express one's self – a comfortable place where under-represented people could be themselves and get support for the positive changes they are making in their lives. We started out on the north side of Chicago. Later when we moved, we wanted to locate to a place where our services were really needed. We ended up in North Lawndale as Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center.

A place that believes in positive social justice awareness & change. ..…bringing together diverse people to learn from each other while in each other's company. To decrease the perception of “other”. To increase love, freedom, empathy, acceptance, kindness, and to include art-making and discussion in the process; while providing services to the community and opportunities for under-represented people to discover how they want to to be counted.

Women, low income individuals, people with mental health issues, artists, people of color, LGBTQ community, under-represented folks; everyone is welcome to participate in our programming. All people are welcome to visit. We even have visitor hours Saturday afternoons.

Adults and youth can attend Saturday orientation and request to volunteer with Urban Art Retreat. Diverse opportunities and types of volunteering are available. Some short term, some long term, and some project oriented. Plus, we offer community service hours for adults and service learning hours for youth. People can build their skills and resume with us. People can share their skills with others through our organization.

We are an organization designed for people to volunteer to help others and to help this organization maintain and continue. We have no paid staff. Volunteers make things happen through Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center !

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WE HAVE GIFTS FOR THOSE WHO DONATE TO OUR RAMP PROJECT! 

* Everyone who donates, gets a great big thank you!

* Those who donate $25.00 or more receive a supportive membership card too!

* Everyone who gives $50.00 or more will receive free art made by a person in our programming.

* Local $ 100.00 donators may opt to visit our gallery & choose a painted rock or painted pot with plant.

* All donors who give $500.00 or more will have their names added to our ramp wall!

* Donors of all stripes will be invited to see the ramp when completed and receive a giving certificate. We plan a party to celebrate the ramp project completion and everyone is invited!!!

We appreciate you reading this information. I hope you will consider giving a donation. Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center is a 501C(3) tax exempt organization since 1984. Thanks for your time, Dianna C. Long