FREDERICK DOUGLAS @ THEARC

• LIVING HISTORY at THEARC FREDERICK DOUGLASS PROGRAM

Frederick Douglass the internationally acclaimed abolitionist, orator and statesman, made his home in Washington, DC's Ward 8 for nearly 20 years. As a prolific writer, his body of work remains available today. Born into slavery in February of 1818 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, his future was as bleak as any slave before him, and he suffered great pain and indignity. But Frederick Douglass found a way out and led the way for others. As a child, he learned to read and discovered the power of the written and spoken word. As a young adult, after escaping slavery, he used that power to fight for justice and equal opportunity.

ASK FREDERICK DOUGLASS A QUESTION!

To honor his legacy, a life-like animation, set in an exact replica of Douglass' study in his Anacostia home was created for THEARC and is available to the community. Interactive performances are also possible where the animation will answer questions from the audience! More than two hours of Douglass' famous speeches are recorded in varying lengths and complexity and programmed with coordinated body movements. The end result is dramatic and awe inspiring!

THEARC THEATRE

is a true community 365 seat theatre (the only theatre east of the Anacostia River) that was created to fill a performing arts void to enrich the lives of the residents. With the belief that the arts are the foundation of community development, THEARC Theatre pledges to be an outstanding vehicle for community playwrights, producers, directors, technicians, designers, actors, dancers, and musicians. THEARC Theatre has the capability to show full screen movies so this intimate venue is perfect for most theatrical performances and organizational meetings.

WHY IS THEARC NEEDED?
Shockingly, the U.S. Census Bureau 2005 American Community Survey shows that our nation’s capital has the highest rate of childhood poverty of any jurisdiction in the United States. Three out of ten children in Washington, DC live at or below the poverty line—.

WHAT IS THEARC?

Ten non profit partners at THEARC have come together under one roof to help children.
Since its opening in 2005, Town Hall Education, Arts and Recreation Campus-THEARC- has become a national prototype combining social, cultural and health services. It is a $27 million 110,000 square foot center on 16.5 acres of land in Southeast Washington, DC. THEARC provides a daily safe haven for the children it serves, with a wide range of arts, educational, recreational, health programs and services. In addition there is a 365-seat theatre (the only theatre east of the Anacostia River) a regulation size gymnasium, computer lab, art gallery, state-of-the-art music and dance studios.

Will you contribute to help each charity fulfill their missions? Just click on the donate button! For more information about THEARC please go to our website http://www.thearcdc.org/ or you may call 1-202-4-THEARC (1-202-484-3272).

Selected for the 2008-2009 Catalogue for Philanthropy
“One of the best small charities in the greater Washington region”