Habilidad (abilities)
Program Background & Objectives:
Habilidad (“ability”) was established
in 2004 as a bi-lingual component
for Mill Street Loft’s successful and
award-winning Project ABLE (Arts •
Basic education • Life skills •
Entrepreneurship) initiated in 1994
to help urban youth facing multiple barriers to employment acquire job and life skills.
Habilidad was created in response to the rapidly growing population of Spanish speaking youth in our community. It provides opportunities for these students to “earn while they learn,” as well as to work with professional bi-lingual artist educators and mentors using an innovative arts-based program that links career awareness with educational needs.
Habilidad provides academic enrichment and career exploration in a safe environment daily after-school from 3- 6pm for economically disadvantaged Hispanic/Latino youth ages 11-17 recruited from Poughkeepsie Middle and High Schools. The program is free to all participants.
Habilidad helps students to:
- Develop communication skills
- Improve social skills
- Foster self-expression
- Elevate self-esteem
- Increase Leadership skills
- Practice job readiness skills, including: resume writing, interviewing, and team work.
Habilidad youth learn and practice applying the “soft skills” employers look for, such as:
- Conflict resolution
- Flexibility
- Responsibility
- Decision-making skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem solving
Program Activities Include:
Career Exploration – Students visit many of the region’s prime cultural, educational and historic sites where they have tours, learn about varied career paths and job opportunities, and interview employers and employees while learning about differing workplace opportunities and policies. They visit such places as: the FDR Presidential Library, DIA: Beacon, the Culinary Institute of America, Dutchess Community College, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, the Poughkeepsie Journal, IBM, the Bardavon Opera House, and the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, among others.
Life Skills – Using improvisation, role-playing and journaling, Habilidad students are encouraged to address relevant personal and social issues including cultural sensitivity, peer and gang pressure, teen pregnancy, tobacco and illegal substance abuse.
Portfolio Development – Each student documents his/her experiences incorporating reflective writing, a personal resume, original poetry, photographs, artwork and other observations acquired during the course of the program. Portfolios provide tangible and authentic evidence by which to measure and evaluate each individual’s development.
Public Art – Under the supervision of bi-lingual artist-educators, youth work in teams to plan, design and execute large-scale public art projects. Murals created by Habilidad youth have been installed and are visible in and on buildings throughout Poughkeepsie, enhancing the community and revitalizing underserved neighborhoods.
Technology Training – In cooperation with Nubian Directions and the Liberty Partnership at Marist College, Habilidad youth receive training on computers and in general business subjects, where they learn word processing, graphic design and practice resume writing and other skills needed for jobs in today’s workplace.
For more information contact Mill Street Loft (845) 471-7477.
