Vanessa Calderon Rosado

Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción Executive Director Vanessa Calderon Rosado was at the White House Tuesday to receive the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for the programming the community development corporation provides for young people in the South End.

Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción Executive Director Vanessa Calderon Rosado was at the White House Tuesday to receive the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for the programming the community development corporation provides for young people in the South End.

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities presents the award to outstanding after-school and out-of-school programs that are transforming the lives of young people. Programs that receive the award exemplify how arts and humanities programs outside of the regular school day enrich the lives of young people throughout the country by teaching new skills, nurturing creativity and building self-confidence.

These programs offer high-quality and intensive instruction on weekends, afternoons and summer vacations, providing a safe and productive space for young people in the hours when they are often the most vulnerable. Their carefully focused projects supplement in-school curricula with exposure to a wide variety of artistic and scholastic pursuits. Arts and humanities education remains a priority for the President’s Committee and is a major focus of the Committee’s ongoing efforts. The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award has a long record of success in acknowledging and supporting inspiring programs.

IBA’s Youth Development Program fosters socio-emotional, intellectual and artistic growth in young people between 13 and 19 years old, while helping them develop 21st century skills to be successful in life. The program provides academic support, job readiness, arts education, leadership training, civic engagement and advocacy opportunities.