Madisonville, KY (May 8, 2013) Breathe, Light of Chance’s community-based youth development program, will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a Spring Showcase, Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 p.m. at Madisonville City Park, located at 755 Park Ave in Madisonville. Admission is free but donations are encouraged and will help support the program’s future endeavors. 

The showcase will serve as a demonstration to the community the students’ growth and artistic development over the course of the spring semester. Attendees can expect performances from Breathe’s music, dance and visual arts classes. There will also be a special tribute to Michaela White and Jon King, two Hopkins County youth who lost their lives in March.  

Breathe is community-based youth development program of Light of Chance, Inc. Breathe provides after-schools arts sessions, free of charge, for grades 5 through 12. The program fosters artistic expression, leadership and social skills through the arts such as visual, music, dance and creative writing and poetry.  

“We are celebrating our program’s first anniversary and I am so proud of our program and kids. They have taken to Breathe and believe in us just as much as we believe in them,” says Light of Chance Founder, Eric C. Logan.

 “We continue to push them to learn and grow as individuals and they challenge us to come with our best each week,” he continues. “I think that after this showcase, everyone in the community will want to be a part of ‘Breathe’ on some level. There is something about it that makes you feel good and you can’t help but smile when you see the kids in action.” 

The program operates every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Rosenwald-Smith Center, located at 208 N. Kentucky Ave., Madisonville, KY 42431. 

For additional information or to register for the next session, visit www.lightofchance.org or contact Eric Logan at (270) 875-4332 or info [at] lightofchance [dot] org.

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One area nonprofit organization is preparing to celebrate its 8th year in Madisonville by involving members in two upcoming community events. Since Light of Chance Breathe moved into the Rosenwald-Smith Multicultural Center, more than 70 students from grades 5-12 have participated in the program.

Breathe is an after-school program that provides art, music, dance and creative writing classes to area youth, said Eric Logan, director and founder of the organization.

“One of our goals is that we can take these kids into the community and give them the whole show,” Logan said. “We are almost there.”

On Thursday, three students from the program will sing during the half-time show at the Browning Springs/James Madison game.

The students will perform a song, “Take My Hand,” which they wrote following the suicide of a local girl who was said to be bullied at school.

“They’re writing these songs, and the thing is, they’re really good. I listen to them in my car,” Logan said. “It is also something very emotional and very therapeutic for these kids. It is a good way for them to get their feelings out.”

Program veteran Vonshae Matchem, 15, has been with Light of Chance Breath since the program opened March 27. Matchem is working with four other members of the group on a song about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., which will be performed at 5 p.m. Saturday during Hopkins County’s 29th Annual Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Word of Faith Christian Center.

“I just hope that people come and see what we can do,” she said. “You’ll be missing out on something big if you don’t come.”

Logan says the performances are a great way to teach kids about their community and show the community the talent local youths possess.

Singers are not the only talent the group will showcase this week. The art class will present a mural honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the singing group performs.

Participants have access to the group classrooms, music, art and dance studios for work on their pieces.
This is something that Logan is proud of.

After months of repairing and painting, he and other volunteers have created a place that is welcoming and safe for the kids, he said.

“We painted everything bright colors to evoke thought and cheer,” he said. “We really wanted to make people feel welcome. So far, so good.”

Participants in the program agree, Matchem said.

“I come for the music, the performances and the support,” she said.

For more information about the Light of Chance Breath program, visit http://www.lightofchance.org.

Savannah Oglesby Messenger Staff Writer Soglesby [at] themessenger [dot] com

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1) I am proud serving over 230 kids through our Get Set Go (Bowling Green) and Breathe (Madisonville) programs; and additional 300 in our other events throughout the year; all at no cost to them.

2) I am proud of starting our unique youth arts program, “Breathe” in Madisonville, KY. Seven years prior, I was inspired by another program to create one through Light of Chance. I feel a great sense of pride and humility when I receive feedback from community members such as this from M. Hopson, “Back when I was going to high school if you weren’t dribbling or throwing a ball then you were pretty much a no name. You have given youth the space to express themselves through art and that means the world to me!”…”You’ve planted a seed in every youth that is a part of your program and each time they come back it gets watered.”

3) I am proud of our board, staff, and volunteers who dedicated their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. In 2012, we had over 70 volunteers committing tireless hour’s valued at over $200,000 in in-kind contribution to our organization.

4) I am proud of seeing kids and their families take pride in their health and willingness to learn through our Get Set Go Wellness Program. I will never tire of watching that transformation.

5) I am proud of the lasting impact we are having on people’s lives. When I receive feedback from parents such as NaKeshia Matchem: “Without this program, I don’t think I would see the growth in my child. I would not have seen her talent. I would not know what she really wanted to do. I would ask myself what will she be, what she will become and I did not know until this program. She is a totally different person and it is all because of the program.”
As well as statements from program participants such as Shae Matchem:”If this program never started, I would still be sitting at home letting my talents go to waste.” it makes what we do all worth it!

It costs $400 per child a year to participate in our programs. Our goal for 2013 is $89,600. You can make the difference in the life of a child with a generous donation today. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Kids are waiting – will you support their futures?

Donate Now:
$200   $100   $50     $25

Make checks payable to Light of Chance, Inc. mail to P.O. Box 1636, Bowling Green, KY 42102

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MADISONVILLE, Ky. — The Arts Awareness movement spreading through Madisonville is seeping into the lives of the community’s youth. Madisonville native and Bowling Green resident, Eric Logan, is doing his part and more to foster the wellness, creativity, expression, and social and leadership skills of the teens in Madisonville and Bowling Green with his non-profit organization, Light of Chance, Inc. Light of Chance hosts workshops, programs, and events to cultivate these values, ideas, skills, and attributes, engaging the participants so that they may grow into more well-adjusted people.

Logan shared his passion and details of his visions that brought Light of Chance to fruition during an interview conducted at Rosenwald- Smith Multi-Cultural Center on North Kentucky Avenue in Madisonville. The building has become the local home for the after school arts program that Logan hosts for community youth in grades 5-12 called “Breathe.”

The objective of “Breathe,” according to Logan and the informational brochure provided to interested participants is to “develop the participants’ self-esteem, artistic engagement, and selfless service to others. They are provided with opportunities to explore the arts while developing supportive relationships and connections within their community. They can establish and achieve personal goals by discovering different ways to think critically and solve problems so that they grow personally and professionally. They are provided a safe, comfortable, and fun environment wherein they may celebrate stories of their life and their community.”

The idea for Light of Chance was spawned in 2005 during a personal conversation between Logan and one of his friends from Madisonville. Logan said the two were discussing the positive attitude he had adopted about how he was living his life, and he realized he had many friends with the same optimistic outlook. He wanted to find a way to spread this attitude and his ideas to the youth from his hometown and initially planned to host a weekend or series of events, inviting mentors to gather with some of the community’s youth for a Teen Summit.

Logan was finally able to host the first event at the MCC Health Campus in May, 2007. He named the event “Aspire,” and the theme was “Dare to Live Your Dream.” Logan said he ultimately reached about 200 local teens during that event, and he considered it such a success that it drove him to continue pursuing his goals in fulfilling his ultimate dream: founding the organization that is now Light of Chance, Inc. Logan has hosted “Aspire” events every year since the first one and he continues to do so. The venue locations and dates vary from year to year, but Logan hopes to host the 2013 event at the Rosenwald-Smith Multi-Cultural Center tentatively in the Fall months of the coming year. SurfKY News will release that information as it is provided.

Light of Chance is a 501 C(3) non-profit organization. The support to fund the organization comes from community donations from Bowling Green and Madisonville. Logan has been able to get a few small grants for the Wellness program in Bowling Green and has had community donations for the sound room, computers, current supplies, and renovations to the Rosenwald -Smith building here in town; however, the program is in need of more supplies, volunteers, and funds to keep it going with the same success that it has had up to this point. It costs about $400 a child a year for food and supplies.” He added, “One thing I pride Light of Chance on is that everything we say we’re going to do, we do it. The shortage of funding has made it more difficult, but we get things done.”

Logan is 32 years old, graduated from Western Kentucky University, and has two master’s degrees: one in Corporate and Organizational Communication and one in Administrative Leadership. He said he hasn’t had much interest in working in any profession relating to his schooling, proclaiming that he is “living his dream” in all he does for Light of Chance.

Obviously, a man with two master’s degrees in Corporate and Administrative Communications could potentially make a large salary if practicing in his field of study; however, Logan devotes most of his time and energy into maintaining this non-profit program. He said he spends about 14 hours a day working for Light of Chance. Logan said, “There are a lot of rules for non-profit organizations that I wasn’t aware of when I started this mission but I’ve learned so much along the way. We got the Wellness program started and now the Arts program, and in the midst of all this, I’ve really found my passion.” The Wellness program in Bowling Green, “Get Set. Go,” targets childhood obesity.

Logan just started the “Breathe” program here in March of 2012. He presented the program proposal to the governors of the estate of the Rosenwald-Smith Multi-Cultural Center building, and they gave him the go for renovations. Logan began working on the building renovations last January, 2012 and by March, he was able to start the Youth Arts Program hosted on Tuesdays from 3:30-6 p.m. There is no fee for teens to participate.

“Breathe” enables the participants to develop by means of visual arts, music, dance, and creative writing. Logan said initially, he thought, “If I can just get 25 students to participate and take to this, I can get this going,” Logan said. “We’ve exceeded that, and numbers are anywhere from 40-60 students a session so now I need more funds to keep it going with such success.” Each session lasts anywhere from 12-16 weeks.

Any student in grades 5-12 may sign up at any time during any session by visiting the Rosenwald -Smith Building on Tuesdays or by contacting Logan via email at eric [dot] logan [at] lightofchance [dot] org. You may also email him at this address if you are interested in donating or volunteering. He emphasized that it is better for a student to enroll earlier in the session so they don’t have a difficult time catching up to what’s going on in the classes. “It’s been such a great creative outlet for the kids who have participated. You take a quiet, introverted kid in the beginning, which has gone through the session or multiple sessions, and you see them open up, and they’re singing and dancing and laughing, and it’s truly fulfilling to watch the transformation. Then, their parents comment on how much their child has changed and grown. It’s awesome.”
Many of the students’ talents and disciplines are showcased at the end of each session. The students will showcase visual arts and performances as well as music. Logan credited PJ Woodside for her role in filming many “Breathe” showcase events. He also gave credit to all of the community members who have already donated their time and supplies to volunteer.

Each artistic area of focus for “Breathe” is narrowed down and offered as a discipline for creative expression thoroughly so that each one addresses specific principles and developments. Logan said, “The art is inspired by the things the kids are going through or dealing with at school and home. Sometimes, they’re dealing with rumors or drama or bullying or gossiping. Art helps people’s lives inside and outside the classroom.”

The next after-school program begins Tuesday, January 29. Logan has encouraged the rest of the community to get involved with this program and said that anyone interested in contributing can find fulfillment in being part of this. “One of the challenges has been getting people to know about the program. I hope that once people know, they will share my passion and get involved. Every once in a while … I realize this thing is so much bigger than I am.”

Again, to contact Eric Logan for child enrollment into “Breathe” or to make donations or volunteer you may email him at eric [dot] logan [at] lightofchance [dot] org . View the Light of Chance Facebook page by clicking here.

Donations may also be made through postal mailing to P.O. Box 1932, Madisonville, KY, 42431. You may send a check or money order or donate via http://www.lightofchance.org/ with PayPal or Google Checkout. Donations are 100% tax deductible.

Jessica Frodge
SurfKY News

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(8 months later…)
Today, my dream came true. I am sitting on the beach overlooking the ocean with clear blue skies and water as far as I can see. As I look off into the ocean it looks as if the sun, water, and sky touch. My feet are sprinkled with sand as I am reclined in a beach chair, with my iPad on my lap. This is what I’ve been working and waiting for since I was a kid. Words cannot described how blessed I feel right now. While having a moment of clarity as I think, “Thank you Lord”. Thank you for this glimpse of time where you have allowed me to go and do whatever I want. If this moment only last for a season, I am thankful for you allowing me to see and experience it. The amazing thing is I started writing this blog entry months ago with this trip nowhere in sight.

After I graduated from college, I no longer had a vision. I had worked my whole life to graduate from college and I did it. Now what? I thought I would find a nice paying job, travel, find love, buy a house, get married, have kids, and live the American dream. Well, things did not quite work out like that. In fact, none of it happened. I was unemployed, no love of my life; received government and parental assistance to help survive. I always describe this part of my life as the period where I felt like I was going through life with a flashlight because I no longer could see my future and it was dark. It was like being in a pitch black room and holding your hand in front of your face and not being able to see it. Over two years past, I was basically in the same spot. I felt like a failure for the first time. I had to come up with a new set of goals, a new direction, and purpose.

Eventually, like when shining a flashlight, you can only see one or two things at a time. I began to see bits of Light of Chance, grad school, opportunities, and relationship. God began to show me a new vision for my life. It started with little things. It is like riding down the road on a foggy morning. You can only see the road right in front of you but as you drive, and the sun begins to rise higher, the fog slowly lifts, and you began to see further and further until the road becomes endless. Now, in my life, the fog has lifted and the room is no longer black; I am so thankful.

My life is coming full circle and I can’t comprehend where it’s going next. I believe it is going to be mind blowing to the point where I’m not going to believe it myself. All I know, for once in my life, I have complete creative freedom, I am my own boss, with a vision. It has taken a lifetime to live this moment. I don’t know how long it’s going to last but, thank you God for letting me touch the sky!

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The President’s Award for Diversity is an initiative set forth by the university to recognize and reward a Western Kentucky University student or organization, employee, and a member of the community for contributing exemplary leadership and achievement in advancing diversity at Western Kentucky University or communities served by WKU. This award is intended
to encourage creativity, dialogue, and action through advocacy, role modeling, scholarship, or service. The recipients of this award have demonstrated active participation in activities that promote diversity at Western Kentucky University and/or the communities it serves; have
continually participated in activities that promote diversity and have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity; have engaged in efforts beyond the scope of their job title and responsibilities; and have encouraged and promoted diversity in various arenas/capacities.

“It is a great honor to receive an award of this magnitude from an institution that has been an influential part of my life, personally and professionally,” says Logan. “I have a great respect for President Ransdell as a leader and visionary, and also for his humanity.”

“Although I do not work for accolades or the notoriety, it feels good to be recognized for my hard work. It is truly a blessing and team effort,” he continues. “I would like to thank my family, friends, volunteers and supporters. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Light of Chance, Inc. is a creative and innovative non-profit organization that specializes in community revitalization. The organization sponsors a wide variety of community programs and events, including the Breathe arts program, the Get Set Go wellness program, Aspire weekend, the Save the Dream Credit and Debt Management Workshop, the annual Dust Bowl basketball tournament, the Southern Heat softball tournament and other events.

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Light of Chance, Inc. kicks off an online fundraising campaign today for its new after-school arts program, Breathe, through the popular crowd-sourcing platform, Indiegogo.

Breathe seeks to cultivate creativity while providing a positive environment for youth to express themselves, engage in important issues and experience personal and social transformation through the arts.  Students will engage in activities such as visual art, music, dance and creative writing. The program will provide a constructive creative outlet, encourage cooperation and teamwork, teach artistic and social skills and provide a setting where youth are valued and celebrated. 

Light of Chance is seeking to raise $5,000 in 45 days through the campaign. The funds raised will go toward supplies and operating cost. Potential funders can contribute any amount from $1 up. “This is something the entire community can participate in,” says Logan. “It’s a great opportunity for us to give back to the youth in our community.”

“We don’t want people to think they have to give a large amount to make a difference. You can donate as little as a dollar,” he says.

“No amount is too small but no amount is too large either,” he adds with a chuckle.

Of Indiegogo, Logan says, “It helps small independent projects and organizations like ours make huge impacts in short amounts of time. IndieGoGo is a great platform for artistry to be displayed and supported. It is exactly what we are looking to do with Breathe.” 

For more information on the campaign or to make a donation, visit www.indiegogo.com/BreatheYouthArtsProgram. Donations can be accepted online through 11:59 p.m. on June 30^th.

Breathe will begin their summer session June 5^th at the Rosenwald-Smith Center in Madisonville. For additional information, visit www.lightofchance.org or contact Eric Logan at (270) 339-0717 or eric [dot] logan [at] lightofchance [dot] org.

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Students in grades 5-12 have participated in art classes at the Rosenwald-Smith Multicultural Center in Madisonville for the past few weeks, where volunteers teach music, art, creative writing and dance to the youth.

The free show will be at 6 p.m. May 14 at the center on North Kentucky Avenue, with donations accepted at the door.

Jontae Minor, a fifth-grade student at Pride Elementary, has gained songwriting and singing skills through class instructors L’Mer Owens and Dewayne GoLightly.

His concentration never wandered nor did his voice crack while in the recording booth performing a solo part for a song the class wrote, entitled “Too Young.”

“I’m too young for the club, but that don’t mean I won’t throw my hands up…,” he said, singing to the music of the rap song.

Owens said the youth enjoy channeling their emotions through music.

The after-school classes are geared toward fostering artistic expression, said Eric Logan, director and founder of Light of Chance Inc. It also helps teach the students leadership and social skills while providing a positive environment, he said.

The historic building, which has been under renovation for the past five years, has been painted with bright colors, Logan said, so the youth and parents feel they are in a comfortable and fun environment.

“This program has been seven years in the making,” Logan said. “I think the community will enjoy our debut performances.”

Michaela White, a student from Jesse Stuart Elementary, was practicing steps for a dance routine with a group of about 10 other girls.

“I like hip-hop dancing best,” she said. “You can express yourself, make friends and have a lot of fun in dance class.”

Classes for Breathe’s 12-week summer session will begin June 5. Logan hopes to add more classes for the arts program, which are held weekly from 3:30 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday.

For more information or to register for the summer arts program, call

Logan at 339-0717, email eric [dot] logan [at] lightofchance [dot] org or visit http://www.lightofchance.org

By Doreen Dennis

Messenger Staff Writer

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The showcase will serve as a demonstration to the community of what the youth in the program have learned in their 8 weeks in the program. Attendees can expect to see performances from Breathe’s music, dance and creative writing classes. Artwork from the visual arts class will also be displayed.

Breathe provides after-school arts sessions, offered free of charge, for grades 5-12. The program is geared toward fostering artistic expression, leadership and social skills through arts such as visual, music, dance and creative writing.  Breathe cultivates creativity while providing a positive environment for youth to express themselves, engage in important issues, and experience personal and social transformation through the arts. The program provides a constructive creative outlet, encourages cooperation and teamwork and teaches artistic and social skills, while providing a setting where youth are valued and celebrated.

Light of Chance Founder and Executive Director, Eric Logan, is particularly excited about the program and the upcoming showcase.

“This program is a dream-come-true for me. It has been seven years in the making and it is the epitome of a dream and vision materialized. We are excited for the community and our youth to display their talents and what they have learned thus far during our inaugural session,” he said. “We want to see the place packed to encourage and support our youth. Breathe is a community program and we need and want their support.”

The Rosenwald-Smith Center is located at 208 N. Kentucky Ave., Madisonville, KY 42431.

Breathe’s summer session will begin Tuesday, June 5th. For additional information or to register, visit www.lightofchance.org or contact Eric Logan at (270) 339-0717 or eric [dot] logan [at] lightofchance [dot] org.

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 In 2008 – at the urging of Western Kentucky University’s track coach, Erick Jenkins – Light of Chance Founder, Eric Logan toyed with the idea of adding a wellness program to his already multifaceted nonprofit organization. The idea seemed like the perfect addition to his thriving, community-focused organization, however, Logan found himself a bit too busy with Light of Chance’s other programs. Organizing the annual Dust Bowl, Save the Dream Credit and Debt Management Program and Aspire proved to be too demanding at the time. Thus, the wellness program would have to sit on the shelf.

Fast forward a year: Logan found himself becoming increasingly more motivated to bring the program to life, after discovering that childhood obesity was a huge epidemic in America, and that Kentucky was ranked third. He was then propelled to set his plan into motion, resulting in Get Set Go, a free, fun and comprehensive health initiative that encourages youth, grades K-8, to become more active and healthy through nutrition and physical activity. Get Set Go strives to increase youth physical activity and show them how to make healthier eating choices in their existing environment.

Logan successfully launched the pilot program for Get Set Go at Western Kentucky University in 2010. In 2011, he partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to provide Get Set Go during its program on Mondays and Wednesdays and with Bowling Green Parks and Recreation on Thursdays, servicing over 150 children weekly. WKU’s Exercise Science Club, the Finish Line Youth Foundation and the Barren River District Health Department all are partners in the program.

With Get Set Go, children participate in both traditional and nontraditional physical exercises such as zumba, aerobics, kicking, dance and yoga. They also learn new and healthier ways to eat and prepare food. Logan would like to see Get Set Go change lives and dispel myths that healthy foods cannot also be tasty.

“We listen to what the kids want,” Logan says. “We try not to make it like school. We make it real interactive.”

By: Shawn Whitsell
Article featured in Bowling Green Parent Magazine’s April/May/June Issue

__________________________________________________________________________________
Shawn Whitsell is a Nashville-based freelance journalist, activist, spoken word artist, writer, actor, producer and director. He is the founder of the Destiny Theatre Experience and Focused Dreams Films, and an organizer for the Shades of Black Theatre Festival. He is the father of a beautiful five-year-old little girl by the name of Destiny.

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