Raynesha, a student at  Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, has been selected to study abroad in Iten, Kenya this July. While in Kenya, Raynesha will attend the High Altitude Training Center.

The 2006 Elmhurst High School graduate was chosen among a number of applicants vying to receive this unique opportunity. Raynesha is a junior studying Pre-Occupational Therapy – Exercise Science. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the National Society of Black Engineers (IUPUI Chapter.) Raynesha is the daughter of Diana Rogers, a 21-year veteran of the Fort Wayne Police Department.

Raynesha needs to raise $5,000 for the trip. If you would like to help, please make your check payable to Ms. Raynesha Rogers, 3709 Holton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46806. For more information,  please call Ms. Rogers at  (260) 418-0825.

On Saturday, July 10, 2010, joined by dozens of area churches, businesses and organizations, Unity Barbershop will be the gathering point for a Community Healing Time. The event will take place from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Unity Barbershop co-owner Foundation One says he was inspired to spearhead the Community Healing Time effort after attending a recent candlelight vigil in remembrance of victims of crime and violence in Fort Wayne.   He says the realization that he knew more than 100 of the people being memorialized drove him to tears. He says at that point, God sent him on a mission.

That mission has brought together literally dozens of area churches, ministries, businesses and organizations for a day of healing through fellowship, prayer, music and more. Jimmy Fincher will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies.

In 17 years as a barber, Foundation One has not only cut hair, he has also  mentored people who come into his shop. He has committed himself to helping individuals deal with issues ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, to crime and violence, to mental illness – too often a taboo subject in the Black community. Foundation often refers to those issues as “demons” plaguing the community. The Community Healing Time is an effort to begin to “cast out” those demons.

During the Community Healing Time, participants are urged to bring photos of loved ones who have been lost to crime, violence and the other demons.

The July 10th event is not the first time Foundation has called the community together for a restorative event. In November of 2008, he led dozens of bicyclists on a 20-mile Spirituality Ride through Fort Wayne on the River Greenway. The goal was not only to promote the physical and ecological benefits of bike riding but to also help clear the mind.

“We need to get our minds right so that we can do the correct things,” Foundation told INK regarding the ride. “If your mind gets weak, then you’re subject to do anything. You need to stay mentally and physically fit.”

For more information on the Community Healing Time, call Foundation One at (260) 247-1019.

“This is the biggest experience we have been in and we’re looking forward to bringing back the gold,” says Daven Johnson, 15.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the World Choir Games,” says Aaryn Eady, 17. “The community needs to come together to help support this effort.”

So far, the community is responding. A public rally held Saturday, April 24th at Pilgrim Baptist Church brought together families, politicians, business people, pastors, and people from throughout the community to rally and help these young people ages seven-years-old to 18-years-old realize their dreams of gold. The 81-member choir needs to raise approximately $400,000 to go to China to compete in the World Choir Games from July 10 through July 26. They will compete against 400 choirs from 90 different countries in what is considered to be the Olympic games for choirs. Based on its skill and reputation the Voices of Unity Youth Choir was invited to participate in these games and will represent not just the state of Indiana but our country as well. The children are seeing and hearing how the community of Fort Wayne stands proudly behind them.

“The gifts people are making on the web site – even at just $10 or $20 at a time – are adding up,” says choir director Marshall White.

Youth in the choir are also working to make this trip possible. Each members of the choir must raise $1,000. Some of the members have already raised more than the requirement.
During the rally at Pilgrim Baptist Church, many dignitaries spoke of how important it is to invest in children. They said that when you have such disciplined children with a positive mindset, it is worth the time and money. (See video below for more on the Dreams of Gold campaign. Story continues below)

What goes on behind the scenes of the Voices of Unity Youth Choir is truly amazing. White says these talented young people are enrolled in classes to prepare them not only for singing but for life. In addition to vocal and music training, youth are offered classes in leadership, computer training, public speaking, graphic design, digital recording, video editing and much more.
White also monitors the academic performance of choir members.

“If a student is not doing well in a certain class, other students who know the subject will offer help to that individual,” White explains.

Under White’s direction, Unity Performing Arts Foundation is planting seeds of greatness in each and every member of the choir. The children all have a positive outlook not just on the choir games but life itself.

The slogan Dreams of Gold fits this choir well. Each child has the dream of bringing home the gold from July’s competition in China, and their enthusiasm is infectious. Everyone who spoke at the community rally stands behind these young people and expressed excitement about what these youth are about to do and beamed with pride at the prospect of having such a group of positive, well disciplined, intelligent young people represent the United States to the rest of the world.

To date, $104,000 has been raised for the trip to China – most of that raised by choir members. Another $81,000 has been pledged, including a $50,000 gift from the Steel Dynamics Foundation announced earlier this week. That leaves about $215,000 to be raised in the next month in order to ensure that all travel arrangements for the choir can be made on time. White hopes that the community will continue to make contributions and that other corporations will follow Steel Dynamics’ generous lead.

“We need other companies to have the same great vision and to join Steel Dynamics Foundation in supporting this opportunity,” White explains. “In a time when the headlines sadly tell us about kids who’ve made mistakes, we are hoping the corporate community rallies to support kids who are making responsible choices and have a dream of representing their country on the world stage. That’s the kind of headline that northeast Indiana needs for a great future.”

To that end, a Dreams of Gold Corporate Rally is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Sweetwater Sound corporate headquarters located at 5501 US 30 West at Kroemer Road. Company representatives will see the choir perform and learn more about the World Choir Games and how participating in this world-wide event will enhance northeast Indiana’s global profile. This is a good opportunity for corporate donors to offer their support and bring a donation check to the rally.

Anyone can go to the website, www.dreamsofgold.org, to make a donation by credit card or to volunteer on a planning committees. Corporate donors can also contact the UPAF office at (260) 481-6719 for more information about donating to this worthy cause.