An area organization that has helped to inspire, foster and celebrate the creativity of numerous western Kentucky youths will turn 10 this week.
Light of Chance, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on serving children and teens through arts and wellness programs in Madisonville and Bowling Green, will observe its 10-year anniversary Friday, according to founder Eric Logan.
“It’s been a challenge, but it’s been a lot of fun,” Logan said. “I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
In celebration of the group’s upcoming milestone, facts about Light of Chance and testimonials from those who have been influenced by the nonprofit are being shared on social media outlets with the hashtag #10yearsin10days, Logan said.
“Hopefully, we’ll get a lot of tags and shares so people can see our impact over the past 10 years — or at least a glimpse of it,” he said.
As the organization has grown to serve more than 700 youths each week through its Breathe youth arts and Get Set Go Wellness programs, Logan said receiving support from area residents remains vital.
“Without donors and volunteers, there’s no way this would ever be possible,” he said. “Even the simplest things are huge sometimes.”
Logan, who enjoys working for himself, said he’s learned a lot over the past decade and plans to post a blog entry listing what he considers to be the top truths about managing a nonprofit group.
In sharing a taste of his list, the founder said one of the most important things he’s come to understand is that “good news travels slowly.”
“After 10 years, people may still not know who we are or what we do,” Logan said. “Sometimes that can be frustrating.”
However, Logan said having the chance to make a positive change in another person’s life, and then witnessing the results firsthand, makes each of the difficulties worth it
“After the Breathe program the other night … there were about five kids just hanging out and they were playing some of their own music, singing and dancing and just having a good time with their stuff — their art,” he said. “They were really enjoying it.
“That’s why you really do it,” he continued. “I really love what we’re doing and the direction we’re going. Something like that is so simple, but those kids are probably going to remember that for the rest of their lives. I know I will.”
Ultimately, the successes the program has enjoyed recently, which include the Beautiful Mess 5K Color Run, are the proverbial tip of the iceberg for what Logan sees in the organization’s future.
“We have not reached our full potential yet,” he said. “Yet, I see how far we can go and what we can do, and I know that trying to get there takes a lot of work.”
Logan said Light of Chance’s free Breathe Fall Showcase event, which will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at Madisonville’s Rosenwald-Smith Multicultural Center at 208 N. Kentucky St., will also include commentary concerning the group’s 10-year milestone.
By: LUKE SHORT lshort@the-messenger.com