We are so excited to host Dikshen at Good Works Space this month. Due to lack of funding, there are thousands of children in the United States who rarely get the chance to access the books that help develop literacy skills. Keith Martin, founder of Dikshen, has made it his mission to put books back into the hands and minds of underserved children.
"Keith worked as a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 17 years until getting laid off in June of 2009 due to budget cuts. Keith began his career in 1992, teaching first grade at Winnetka Avenue Elementary in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of L.A. Having possessed a deep love of story since childhood, it seemed a perfect marriage when, in 2007, Keith was hired by LAUSD’s Arts Branch to be a Theatre Arts teacher for elementary school children, K-5.
Said Keith, '...I sensed a different type of energy coming from the kids in the inner city schools that seemed all pervasive. I think they thirst for expression, and crave for an opportunity to be truly seen and heard. And when it happens, it’s an amazing and powerful thing to witness. For a child to get such an opportunity... it’s liberating, it’s confidence-building, and perhaps even life-changing.'"
So Keith set out to make a difference in the lives of these children. Now, with his installation in Good Works Space, he has the ability to reach a larger audience to promote his program of "ONE SHIRT = ONE BOOK"
The event will be on the evening of September 22.
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