Change The Play Inc

Change The Play Inc.(CTP), an Educational/Charitable 501(c)(3) organization utilizing interest areas to create programming for at-risk youth focusing on Education, Healthy Lifestyle Choices, and Identity. Through teaching the Arts, promoting alternative careers / entrepreneurial options in sports, music, fashion, and entertainment we help young people push past their internal boundaries to become leaders and positive agents for change in their communities. It is our mission to highlight lesser known career paths as practical alternatives to being on the field, ball court, or stage. We currently operate programming in Connecticut and Massachusetts. In Connecticut we are contracted to work with students in Meriden and New Haven public schools. In New Haven we target youth who have been identified as socially inept, gang, or drug involved. In Massachusetts, we target youth adjudicated delinquents placed in Department of Youth Services residential settings where we 1) increase awareness of career opportunities in the creative arts, music, and culture industries 2) facilitate their development of industry recognized skills and 3) establish positive relationships with professionals working in these industries thus creating the social capital that leads to jobs and economic stability. Our programming builds on the cultural capital and strengths of this population, is relevant to their lives, and helps them to see the value of education, persistence, and teamwork in attaining their dreams. We currently serve youth placed in residential treatment facilities in Westborough and Dorchester. Currently working with Lawrence Public School executing a program in collaborate with the Police Department for the most At-Risk youth in the school.