"Thanks a Million!" is a campaign to raise awareness for the Thank You Darlin' Foundation's youth literacy and arts initiative. The Thank You Darlin' Foundation is a grassroots non-profit organization whose vision is hundreds of thousands of children reading and writing, and expressing themselves articulately and confidently through art and literature. Lots of eager young students throughout the area will do their part to make this vision a reality by engaging their entire community in helping them to reach the goal of writing 'one million' words of thanks.

There's something magical about expressing thanks. It improves a person's outlook on life and decreases their tendency to complain. Some people feel that it also attracts abundance. One thing that is certain, teaching children while their young to be grateful will decrease the number of ungrateful people in the world.

What can you do? Reflect on ways that you've been helped in the past. Who has given you good advice, a listening ear or opportunities to grow? Then, write notes, letters, cards and poems that include the phrase "Thanks a Million!" Two of the most important words in the world are thank you, especially when they're expressed sincerely. A true heartfelt thank-you often becomes a treasured keepsake because it uplifts and reminds us that we are appreciated and that we matter.

The Thank You Darlin' Foundation hopes to provide an example for children to follow so that they'll know the power of having an attitude of gratitude. Join them on December 10th for a special presentation where gifted and talented young authors and artists from the Fort Worth ISD after-school program will be showcased as they express their thanks through poetry, dance and song. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free. However, donations will be appreciated. Event information: Saturday, December 10th at 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Colman Hall at First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1959 Sandy Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76112. Contact Carolyn West for more information at (817) 306-1648.

Download the "Thanks a Million" Article.

On February 24, 2010, Thank You Darlin' Foundation received an Arts Council grant for cultural services. Arts Council grants are determined by volunteers on peer review panels. For program information, please visit www.ArtsFortWorth.org

For a complete listing of grant recipients and donor recognition please click here to download the pdf.

COLLINS MIDDLE SCHOOL “TEEN READ” NIGHT

Collins Middle School hosted a live-mic event in conjunction with the Thank You Darlin’ Foundation (TYDF) to promote teen literacy as it honored young authors. Part of the “Teen Read” initiative for the month of October at the middle school, the teen author event was planned in conjunction with the school Book Fair to promote affordable reading and an awareness of the possibilities for young authors to be published and promoted. Students and their families enjoyed the cookies, coffee, and punch in a relaxed café-book store atmosphere with music. As the event kicked off, the audience was entertained by young authors performing their own works in a poetry-slam atmosphere and then Carolyn West of the TYDF instructed the audience on the use of rhythm and words in creating poetry performances. The night ended with prize drawings from the book fair as three students each won Book Fair Cash. The event generated a lot of interest from parents and teens, and everyone was clapping along to Ms. West’s performance. The most common question was, “When will you have something like this again? It was great!”

Read the LWISD October newsletter. The TYDF article is on page 6.

Slam Dunking Words
ARTS Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County

A flood of excited youth poured into the hall. Some huddled with their coaches to receive last minute encouragement while others gathered at the registration desk with their parents. Judging by the buzz of their questions in the air, it was the first time many of them had been in a slam.

Sure you know what a "slam dunk" is in basketball, but do you know what just a "slam" is? It is a competition that places emphasis on a participant's ability both to write and to perform poetry.

Carolyn West is the Director of the Thank You Darlin' Foundation (TYDF) and "Slam Dunking Words" is the title of the fourth annual TYD Youth Poetry Slam scheduled for April 24th at I.M. Terrell Elementary, during National Poetry month. Schools and youth organizations are invited to participate and attend.

While a resident of Chicago, West first saw the excitement and passion of students actively engaged in robust poetry competitions all over that city. And when the opportunity presented itself, she decided to bring that same experience to Tarrant County. This slam will be the culmination of yearlong efforts to help students gain the confidence and skills needed to become articulate speakers and exceptional writers.

In its after-school programs, TYD teachers and students explore daily themes through questions and discussion, journaling, music and reading aloud. The effect on students is a deepened awareness of the many ways there are to express feelings and understanding of a subject. Simply put, a TYD "poetry class is about more than rhyming words. It's about inspiring youth to think. Then, they will be able to articulate who they really are, better than simply stating their name or the neighborhood they come from," says West.

While TYD's poetry slam and the University Interscholastic League's (UIL) poetry competition both promote academic competition, at UIL students must perform published works of noted authors, whereas TYD slam offers students an outlet to showcase their own creativity and writing.

TYD Foundation is a 2009 Mini Grant recipient from the Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County.

Download the ARTS Council ARTicle.

Fort Worth After School
2007-08 Evaluation Report

Poet’s Corner: Students at I.M. Terrell Elementary know the difference between a haiku and a sonnet. The after school program’s Poetry component started as a vehicle to encourage and develop student writing and creative expression and quickly evolved. From simple writing exercises to an exploration of authors, self-expression, listening and speaking activities, the students have found the vehicle to express themselves through poetry. In partnership with the Thank You Darlin’ Foundation [TYDF] students learn many styles, forms and genres of poetry each week. The students keep journals of their writing and are given constructive tips on how to improve their writing and performance. Student writing improved throughout the year.

To celebrate this new found voice, the site developed an annual “Poetry Slam” competition in collaboration with TYDF to coincide with National Poetry Month in April. This year was the second contest and the event included elementary, middle, and high school student poets from schools throughout FWISD. In addition to the annual poetry slam, student poems were published in “Giving Voice to Youth” an Anthology of Poetry by Young Texas Poets.

Read the FWAS 2007-08 Evalution Report. The TYDF article is on page 19.