Tools for Tomorrow
Rachel Druten is the President and Founder of Tools for Tomorrow and a member of St. Margaret’s. Children throughout the Coachella Valley benefit from this unique after-school program. A number of St. Margaret’s members volunteer time or have helped raise the funds to continue this life-changing work in our Coachella Valley.
Tools for Tomorrow provides free, on-site, after school literacy enrichment programs integrating writing, drama, art and music for Coachella Valley elementary school children.” Mission Statement of Tools for Tomorrow
Mission Statement
Tools For Tomorrow provides free, on-site, after school literacy enrichment programs integrating writing, drama, art and music for Coachella Valley elementary school children.
Tools For Tomorrow promotes cognitive, emotional, social, multi-sensory and critical thinking skills by offering children a hands-on experience in Art, Music, Creative Writing and Drama.
Tools For Tomorrow encourages the children’s artistic self-expression and nurtures the positive self-esteem resulting from the discovery of their inherent creativity. As they create their own works of Art they acquire a coping mechanism for the future; a “tool for tomorrow”
The Tools For Tomorrow Curriculum provides stimulation, productivity, success and competence and assures that each child feels successful as they create original works in art, creative writing, drama, and music while enjoying themselves in the learning and creative processes and developing the necessary competencies that will carry them through life.
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Program gives children Tools for Tomorrow
Jacky, 9, wrote: “Daddy says the world is like a drum, tight and hard. I told him I am going to beat out my own rhythm.”
That’s the kind of creative thinking that Tools For Tomorrow students are exhibiting throughout the valley.
The free after-school program integrates creative writing, art, music and drama for children and is supported by an auxiliary, grants, donations and in-kind services.
“It provides children with a sense of accomplishment,” said board member Jim Reed.
About 80 Tools For Tomorrow supporters recently gathered for a fundraising dinner at Indian Wells Country Club, where they witnessed the fruits of their dollars as students from Harry S. Truman Elementary School in La Quinta gave short and humorous poetry readings and Vista del Monte players acted out “Pictures at an Exhibition.”
The evening began with wine, piano stylings by Jackie Doyle and socializing around the silent auction table and a display of gift cards designed by the students. Each guest also took home “A Retrospective” of the student’s work, underwritten by Jim Houston in memory of his late wife, Jackie Lee Houston.
Indian Wells councilwoman Mary Roche welcomed the crowd, introducing president and founder Rachel Bryant Druten, who saw a need for this program 13 years ago.
“I truly believe that Tools For Tomorrow and programs like it can develop in children hearts and minds that will change the world,” she said.
Druten then introduced the director of the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, Dr. Janice Lyle, who presented an informative presentation on “what is happening behind the pink walls.”
Tools for Tomorrow affiliates enjoying the evening included Audrey Moe, Courtney Moe, Joani Maltzman, Jean Ann Hirschi, Richard Victor and Lee Appel, who is also a board member.
Source: The Desert Sun, November 26, 2011 (by Shirley Brenon)
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Image: Tools for Tomorrow website
Hear what the Spirit is saying 