Mission Statement: The Pharr Literacy Project enhances the quality of family life,

builds individual potential, brings divergent cultures together, improves the economic

health of our community and brings about the systemic change through education and

through an established program of cultural arts.

Organization History 

The Pharr Literacy Project (PLP) began in 2003 and became a nonprofit corporation in 2006, offering adult educational opportunities for personal development and financial self sufficiency to low income families. In 2008 PLP expanded its mission statement to include a Cultural Arts Center.  Now, Project Ignite, allows students to complete their GED high school equivalency and work toward a job readiness option, supported by Cultural Arts programs (drama, music, dance, art, and literature).  Project Ignite includes a broad background in arts performances/exhibitions and appreciation/enjoyment of the arts while preparing students for the work world.  For example, a pottery and crafts student may learn how to become a business owner; a sewing student may manage a clothing boutique through a retail sales option; music, dance and theater students may find temporary gigues for money to help them pay for college.  The English as a Second Language (ESL) program also supports the adult education vision for self sufficiency.  Classes provide basic English skills, and the Arts provide a training ground for practice of English in community settings.  Students plan and implement Community Festivals:  Summer Art and Drama, The Cultural Arts through History, Health Fairs, Community Theater, and a Literary Festival.  There are theater opportunities for students of all ages. Summer theater opportunities include Acting Camp Workshops for Young Performers.  A live theater performance is performed for a non-profit partner each year, and a Music Camp for colonia children is held in an outlying rural area in the summer.  Community Theater began in 2008 with the production of “Legend of the Bluebonnet” by Gramann and “A Pharr Tale” by Anderson in 2009.  Now, both experienced and amateur actors audition for roles in two Main Stage theater productions and a One-Act Play every year: “Bless Me, Ultima” by Rudolfo Anaya and “Bird Brains” by Pedro Garcia.  “Una Huelga Singular” by Jose Manuel Alvarez is planned for October, 2010.   The Center develops job readiness skills, increases appreciation for the arts, provides a media for self expression, builds self esteem and provides a better quality of life for 600 students of all ages.  It also serves an estimated audience of 1500 others through theater and festivals.  Community development is encouraged through partner collaboration with published/ professional authors, actors, teachers, artists and musicians.  Administrative Capacity includes 2 full time administrators (Chief Executive Officer and Operations Manager).  Other personnel include 6 part time staff (Adult Education Supervisor, Artistic Director, Child Care Manager, Community Developer, Lay Missioner, and Project Ignite Supervisor).  Eight AmeriCorps*VISTAs help to build project capacity and 55 volunteers teach classes on a contractual basis.  The Cultural Arts Program operates under the supervision of a volunteer Cultural Arts chairperson (Ph. D. in Music Education) and maintains quality performance through the skills of a professional Artistic Director. 

Elements which ensure artistic quality include 1) script selection:  As part of a larger work, this well-known play was written to demystify the subject of the family and the role of “helpmate”.  It was written in 1992 as part of the 4th volume of the Complete Works of Jose Manuel Alvarez (Universidad Michoacana).  2)  Production of the play insures both artistic quality and relevance to the health-related topic area:  the Producer has a Ph. D. in Music Education from Ohio State University, the Artistic Director has over 20 years experience in Theatre Arts Performance (directing, producing, acting, writing & program development) and is a professional actor/director and member of the Screen Actors Guild of America.  The organization’s Chief Executive Officer has a Master’s Degree in Psychology.  3)  Quality of the Artists will range from inexperienced to professional.  The designation of ‘Community’ Theater and the mission of this organization mandates open auditions to insure equal opportunity.  But, while auditions will include a mixture of professional actors and first time performers, the final selections are made by the Artistic Director and are always influenced by role appropriateness, acting skills and prior experience in theater.  4)  Impact of this production on other artists in the community is profound because at this time, high school performances are the only other resource for theater that exists in this low income community.  5)  The artist quality of service is maintained by a Cultural Arts staff that includes 2 published writers, an independent music teacher, a professional guitarist, 2 vocal music instructors, a professional choreographer, a newspaper editor and a publisher.