PEI Youth

In the Spotlight
Pan Educational Institute Assisted by LISC

Greater Kansas City LISC is assisting the Pan-Educational Institute (PEI) to acquire a two story commercial building in a neighborhood adjacent to downtown Kansas City, MO. PEI caters to at risk adolescents, ages 14-19, with a focus on technology and the arts. PEI currently leases the building from a private owner and sublets to other non-profit organizations with complementary programming. Acquisition of the property allows PEI to reduce its space expense and enhance its security of tenure.

To finance the acquisition, PEI has secured a commitment from a local lender (Bank Midwest), with LISC providing a $542,000 second mortgage with an 18-month term to be repaid through a capital campaign. The capital campaign is bolstered by a $250,000 award from the Neighborhood Assistance Program – state tax credits that encourage giving to nonprofit organizations for approved community improvement projects. Credits can equal up to 50 percent of the total amount contributed and can be used to offset state tax liability.

On a recent visit to PEI, Greater Kansas City LISC had the opportunity to visit with several young adults working in their MyARTS program. MyARTS (Metropolitan Youth Arts & Technology for Students) is an entrepreneurial program for at-risk teens where they can explore and express their creative abilities in the areas of graphic arts, ceramics, photography, textiles and visual arts, and identify possibilities for continuing education. At the heart of MyARTS is the belief that skills equal power and opportunity. The MyARTS program exposes youth to a variety of possible work opportunities through a 72-hour apprenticeship, followed by a paid part-time entrepreneurship position.

Erika Goernig is a freshman at Longview Community College. She’s participated in the MyARTS program since day one. She shared, “I’ve always been into art and graphics. This is a good opportunity for me to prepare for art school - hopefully the Kansas City Art Institute.”

Clarisha Blaylock(foreground left), a senior at Bishop Miege, has come to PEI since they launched the MyARTS program in May 2006. "I'm able to learn new things here at PEI and express my creativity. The experience I gain should definitely give me a leg up in college and life. In fact, I plan to minor in art."

Lydia Boyd (right), a junior at Kansas City Academy, says, “PEI is a place where I can express myself. I’m here almost every day. I like ceramics because I’m a hands-on person. I don’t necessarily have an idea when I start and it’s always interesting to see when I end up.”

Ashley Barry, attends Missouri State University and comes to PEI on breaks to keep up her creative skills. “Coming in to PEI on break is good practice; it allows me to fine tune my skills and keep my brain working.” She is majoring in art/ceramics and hopes to go on for her masters to one day teach art at the college level. As Ashley shared, “If not for PEI I’d be working some old retail job – where’s the fun in that?”

Attending the Kansas City Art Institute is Melvin Fletcher’s goal. Currently a senior at Lincoln Prep, Melvin learned about PEI from a mailing. Like many other students he’s attended the MyARTS program since day one and says “Where else can a high school student go and learn such a multitude of computer programs – Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash…I want to be a graphic designer and the experience I’m gaining here at PEI will serve me well.”

“I gain valuable experience here at PEI,” said Raquel Wright, who attends Penn Valley as a sophomore. She added, “My work at PEI supports my major in Graphic Design. I get the chance to experience working with real customers and it helps build my portfolio.” The art created by the students is sold to the public. Some day Raquel hopes to work for an advertising agency or possibly as a freelance graphic designer.

Audrey Taylor, a Kansas City Academy junior, works in the silk screen studio to create t-shirts which are then offered for sale. “PEI provides me the chance to learn high level skills and get paid – that’s pretty rare for someone with no experience,” said Audrey. She adds, “This work will look great on my resume…I can present myself as a paid artist.”