By BETH CHAPMAN / Community Columnist

The Shelby County Arts Council recently received a $5,000 grant from Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc. and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to fund their Take Back our Kids — Art Education Outreach Project.

The funds are being provided via the Cawaco/ACES education funds.

The Take Back our Kids — Arts Education Outreach Project is a therapeutic approach to arts education that will occur at the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center. The council hopes that it will teach these children positive traits such as self-discipline, self confidence, the ability to express themselves in a positive manner and the ability to relate to others, thus improving their lives overall and encouraging them to be productive citizens.

Arts Education Director Susan Dennis will direct the program. This grant will be used for much needed personnel expenses, materials and supplies.

Cawaco is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the people of Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties. Their mission is “To help people protect and develop their economic, natural and social resources in ways that improve their area’s economy, environment and way of life.”

Their vision is “To empower our people to help themselves.”

Terri Sullivan, Shelby County Arts Council president said, “This grant is a blessing and will offer our troubled youth a better way to express themselves. It is also a perfect partnership in helping people.”

Take Back our Kids is a unique program and one that fits a need in the lives of troubled youth.

For more information on the Shelby County Arts Council or any of its programs call 669-0044 or visit their website at http://www.shelbycountyartscouncil.com.