Concerns about overhead are common for nonprofit organizations, but the term is literal for Arts for All Executive Director Marcia Berger — her primary worry right now is the cost of a new roof.
“We definitely have a lot of leaks coming into the building and we would love to get it fixed as soon as possible, preferably before the monsoon starts,” said Berger, who is referring to the 9,000-square-foot roof of the Arts for All facility at 2520 N. Oracle Road.
Berger said the roof and portions of the HVAC system sustained damage in a hail storm last year, and a simple repair is not feasible.
“It is a really old roof that was severely damaged by hail, and contractors have recommended that we replace it,” said Frank Hernandez, assistant director of Arts For All, which has provided access to artistic training, experiences and instruction to adults with disabilities and children of all ability levels, including those with special needs, since 1985.
Arts for All has submitted insurance claims for the roof, but the insurance deductible will range from $2,500 to $3,000 and insurance may only cover a portion of the damage.
Local contractors have estimated that replacement of the entire roof, which comprises both pitched and flat areas, will cost about $37,000; replacement of seven damaged HVAC units is estimated at $2,800. Additionally, the roof holds 30 solar panels that were donated several years ago by Technicians For Sustainability.
Hernandez said that, fortunately, it seems the solar panels, which have a significant impact on electric bills, weren’t damaged. However, they must be removed and then reinstalled in order to replace the roof.
“If insurance covers it, we will pay a deductible, and that is our prayer right now. To replace the entire roof on our facility would be — I don’t want to say impossible, because I know everything is possible — but it would be extremely difficult for our nonprofit,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez said the organization is able to fund smaller repairs and regular maintenance and operating costs on the facility, which it originally purchased in 2000.
Angel Charity for Children funded a 3,000-square-foot expansion and renovation and then retired the mortgage in 2003, for which Hernandez said they are ever-grateful.
“We are really blessed to have a facility that is rent-free and free and all of our money can go into services we provide instead of having to pay rent. I just want to give a shout out to Angel Charity for making that possible,” he said.
Arts for All offers day programs for adults with disabilities and after-school programs for children from August through May, as well as a summer arts camp.
Programming incorporates art, music, dance, drama and ceramics while providing considerations for those with a range of special needs, including physical disabilities, visual limitations, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, emotional disturbances, mental illness, behavior problems, autism and seizure disorders.
“Many of the adults we work with would not be able to take an art, drama, dance or filmmaking class if it were not for our programs; and the changes we have seen in all the children — not just those with disabilities, since we have many who aren’t necessarily identified as having a disability but have emotional trauma or violent behavior or other issues — are just amazing,” Berger said.
Berger said the arts support their clients in development and encourage self-esteem; they also give them an outlet for expression.
“We teach them to express themselves through art, not through their fists. The arts help them to see themselves as worthwhile people and give them something they can rely on to comfort themselves in the hard times,” she said.
