Mercer Nonprofit Helps Underserved Youth Pursue A Better Future Through Arts

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — In a city that often makes headlines for gun violence, a local nonprofit is working hard to provide youth a safe space and educational environment that inspires them to pursue a better future. And they achieve this by fostering their interests in the creative arts.

Located on the border of Hamilton and Trenton the James R. Halsey Foundation of the Arts works with the underserved youth population in Trenton and across the County.

The organization was founded by Joseph Halsey, an actor and filmmaker, who was born and raised in Trenton. In 2017 Halsey was making a documentary and looking for basketball players. He and his partner in the foundation, Kim Cody, then came across a group of young people.

“And all of a sudden, I’m doing a documentary about what young men and women would do if they were mayor in the city of Trenton,” Halsey said.

It was then that Halsey found that one of the most underserved populations in the city was its teenagers, who had limited avenues available to pursue their interests. "They are all into media. They want to be YouTube stars, and do rap videos. I learned all this through conversations while making the documentary,” Halsey told Patch. “That pointed me in the direction of the best way to teach them everything through the art of independent filmmaking. And that's how it all began.”

The James R. Halsey Foundation teaches young people independent filmmaking from conception to finish. They learn about all the roles on a film set and by the end of six months, students make and present their own short film.

Recently, the foundation presented its latest student documentary “I’ve Been Shot.” The film focuses on five young adults who have experienced gun violence first-hand and share their personal experiences and trauma. The film was screened to a select audience at Princeton University on Monday.

Until recently, the foundation’s students were mostly from Trenton. But now they have students coming from Princeton, Hamilton and surrounding areas. The nonprofit also teaches filmmaking at Juvenile Detention Facilities.

As someone who was raised in Trenton, Halsey said he was “channeled in the wrong direction” in his youth. It was the arts that gave him a sense of purpose and the power to heal.

“When you use your creative mind, you start getting into the arts and leave getting entrenched in disturbing thoughts. Many young people in Trenton are just limited to school with no creative outlet,” Halsey said.

“I believe we're missing the boat by not teaching young people more film and media since we are a media-based country. We need to catch up and start instructing young people in the arts that reflect our world.”

Over the years, Halsey and members of his foundation have developed a strong connection with youth in the community.

“We have a lot to learn from young people. We have young people from all walks of life sitting in the same room with creativity being the center point. And there's no judgment, only kindness,” Halsey said.

The foundation offers various programs to the youth, the primary one being “Let’s Film.” The program offers comprehensive filmmaking classes where students learn how to create short films from pre-to post-production. The films made in this program focus on bridging the gap between generations and socioeconomic barriers.

“The first part of the program starts in February every year and we go for six months. That's where you learn every aspect of filmmaking,” Halsey said.

The second program is “Generational Change” which focuses on at-risk Trenton youth and how they would solve the community’s problems. “The turmoil between the population and law enforcement has been there for a very long time. And now it’s the gun violence,” Halsey said. “Young people don't have a ton of adults in the room for them. The foundation provides them with a safe place for creativity and where they can go after school.”

Halsey is all praise for his team at the James R. Halsey Foundation of the Arts for helping him create a safe and healthy learning environment for the youth.

“I'm lucky that I have the people that work with me, especially Kim Cody, who runs the foundation with me. We're always looking for a way to reach more young people in the community,” Halsey said.

On March 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the foundation will be hosting a “Red Carpet Night” celebrating the Oscars. There will be food drinks and comedy. The event will take place at Trenton Country Club located at 201 Sullivan Way, West Trenton.

Tickets to the fundraising event are $100. To buy tickets click here.

For additional information call 609-938-3673 or email kcody@jrhfoundation.org.

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