R.E.A.D. offers students arts, engineering, and design training

After-school and summer programs help kids build skills in areas they’re interested while keeping them off the streets

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN

R.E.A.D. After School and Summer Youth Development Center and the JL Griffis School is the newest addition to the youth programs housed at 655 S. Fairview.

Founder Jerry Griffis is excited about how the organizations will be able to network together.

The after school youth center is one of six community-oriented businesses located in the former Banta Corp. paper warehouse that is owned by Living Word Church.

“My goal is to partner with some of my building-mates to make that facility one of the premiere after school and summer learning facilities for the kids in St. Paul,” said Griffis.

A safe place

Griffis started R.E.A.D. four years ago and serves as its executive director.

“After a tragedy in my life I saw a need to start an out of school program, one that would keep youth safe and would give them hope,” explained Griffis.

The 24 x 24 square foot performing arts stage in the center is named after his late son Detrick Devon Griffis, a victim of teenage suicide.

“That really put the fire under me to do things for kids,” explained Griffis.

Not all kids will be hockey, basketball or baseball players, he pointed out. Instead, they may find their passion in art.

R.E.A.D. stands for Robotic, Engineering, Arts & Design, and the programs there reflect a range of interests.

“I realized that kids have more time out of school than in school,” explained Griffis. “I wanted to provide a safe place for them to be encouraged—and maybe they will realize that our programs can lead them on a career path.”

He knows what kids are going through

For the past 22 years, Griffis worked in the automotive industry, the only Afro-American service manager for GM in the Twin Cities. He manages the White Bear Lake Superstore Service Department.

The only child of a single mom in the city, Griffis knows what it is like when a single parent who works two jobs doesn’t have much time to spend with a child. Griffis didn’t get out to hunt or fish like kids in the country might. And he didn’t do that as an adult either. Instead, he spent his time honing photography, videography, and audio engineering skills. He has begun several magazines, including I Am Magazine for the gospel music industry and Silence the Violence. In 1989, he built a studio and has since been the executive producer of seven records.

He has taken these various interests and combined them into an organization that gives kids not just something to do in their free time, but also skills they can use in careers.

“I know what they’re going through,” explained Griffis. “So I wanted to provide a safe place for kids.”

The mission at R.E.A.D is to challenge the community of learners to reach global standards through unique and engaging experiences and opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.

When a child says, “‘Thank you, Mr. Griffis, I really learned a lot,’ that’s something that touches your heart,” remarked Griffis.

Programs expanding

In 2011, R.E.A.D. began operating in three rooms at the Urban League of Minneapolis. They turned rooms that were being used for storage in space for the arts, with a recording studio in one room, videography and photography in another, and audio engineering in the third.

PHOTO LEFT: Sixth to eighth grade students from St. Peter Clever School at Lexington and I94 are thrilled to get a completion certificate and Target gift card after a semester attending R.E.A.D. programs. (Photo submitted)

When Urban League needed the rooms back last year, R.E.A.D. went mobile and began operating its programs at its partner schools, which include Urban League Academy (grades 6-12), Friendship Academy Charter School (grades 6-8), and St. Peter Clever School (grades 6-8).

Now that it has found a 3,000-square-foot home at 655 S. Fairview, R.E.A.D. it is once again operating out of its own location. And with the increase in space, it can expand its programs.

Through R.E.A.D., students discover interests and talents, as well as a strong desire to achieve something higher than themselves and greater than the violence of the streets.

“We want them to find purpose, cultivate change and develop leadership,” said Griffis.

A large performing arts stage may be used for theater, choreography, dance and more. Griffis’ hope is that students learn not only to express themselves, but the solid speaking skills and the confidence to be in front of an audience. There are also two studios, one for post production and one with 24-channels.

Griffis pointed out that the Studio 158A classroom music education system takes a new approach to music education. The blended learning model merges the best music education pedagogy, a proprietary curriculum, and distance learning technology.

“Unlike customary classroom education programs that focus on band, orchestra, and chorus, Studio 158A embraces non-traditional instruments and distributive technology,” said Griffis.

They pull in a wide audience of teachers, students, and parents with a passion for playing music individually and in groups.

“Our curriculum integrates professional development to empower music educators to master the latest concepts and methods in the teaching of music,” he added.

An office equipped with a heat press will enable students to learn entrepreneurial skills and start their own business making greeting cards, t-shirts, hoodies and more.

Automotive and aviation training offered

JL Griffis Twin Cities School also offers automotive and aviation training. Classes begin at the 655 S. Fairview location and then move to a building on County Road D in Maplewood.

The 12-week automotive detailing training program teaches auto service, detailing, and customer service.

Griffis pointed out that there is a shortage of automotive technicians as many of the current workers retire. “They make a good living, earning $55-$70,000 a year. These are jobs you can get with no college degree. You need to read, type and listen,” said Griffis.

“These are things I don’t think a lot of our community knows about, and I want to introduce them to.”

Fishing and golf tournaments

R.E.A.D. hosts two events annually, a fishing tournament the Saturday before Father’s Day, and a golf tournament in August. The events pull in various sponsors who get to mentor kids for a day.

PHOTO RIGHT: In 2015, R.E.A.D. hosted its first Father’s Day Fishing Tournament the Saturday before Father’s Day. It’s an meaningful event for R.E.A.D. founder Jerry Griffis (center, back row), who grew up without a father to celebrate with on Father’s Day. He’s glad to be a part of making memories for other kids without fathers. (Photo submitted)

The fishing tournament is especially close to Griffis’ heart. His father died when he was seven, so Griffis doesn’t have his own father’s day memories. He’s glad to help create those for other kids without fathers. Last year he manned the barbecue grill. “It was just a wonderful time,” said Griffis.

He is also excited to assist with Toys for Tots this year, and will help distribute toys to families they come in contact with.

Learn more at http://jlgtcs.org.