COMMUNITY // Youth Support
Dionne Dantzler
Utilizing the Arts to Save Our Youth
by Dianna Donahue - Apr.01.2022
Funding for schools and youth programs to exist in communities continues to be cut across Arkansas in places where resources are needed the most. This has gained the attention of several individuals and organizations across the state to do their part to fill the gaps because they understand the importance of providing our youth with resources to better themselves. One of those programs is The H.O.M.E. Teen Youth Center, located in the Southwest Little Rock community.
Founded by Dionne Dantzler, The H.O.M.E. (House of Music & Entertainment) Teen Youth Center is a nonprofit organization created to offer our youth tools for holistic healing, development, and growth, as well as foundational tools to prepare them for their adulthood. The organization originally started as a production company called Adnil Productions in 1999 in honor of the founder’s sister, Linda, who was murdered as a result of drug and gang violence in 1993. When the murder occurred, Dionne lost her desire to live but channeled that pain into developing her passions for writing plays, books, and scripts for film. These passions established the purpose of Adnil Productions - to employ at-risk youth and teach them screen-, playwriting, and other production skills.
Dionne would change the name of the organization in 2019 to compliment the expansion of her vision for it and its services to the youth and their families. Today as a 501c3 nonprofit, The H.O.M.E. Teen Youth Center’s mission is to turn pain into passion by providing an alternative learning system for at-risk and troubled youth, emphasizing career development, and encouraging personal growth through the arts and entertainment industry. In addition, its residential-style learning environment offers a safe haven to teens who suffer from domestic and communal violence and/or abuse.
Founded by Dionne Dantzler, The H.O.M.E. (House of Music & Entertainment) Teen Youth Center is a nonprofit organization created to offer our youth tools for holistic healing, development, and growth, as well as foundational tools to prepare them for their adulthood. The organization originally started as a production company called Adnil Productions in 1999 in honor of the founder’s sister, Linda, who was murdered as a result of drug and gang violence in 1993. When the murder occurred, Dionne lost her desire to live but channeled that pain into developing her passions for writing plays, books, and scripts for film. These passions established the purpose of Adnil Productions - to employ at-risk youth and teach them screen-, playwriting, and other production skills.
Dionne would change the name of the organization in 2019 to compliment the expansion of her vision for it and its services to the youth and their families. Today as a 501c3 nonprofit, The H.O.M.E. Teen Youth Center’s mission is to turn pain into passion by providing an alternative learning system for at-risk and troubled youth, emphasizing career development, and encouraging personal growth through the arts and entertainment industry. In addition, its residential-style learning environment offers a safe haven to teens who suffer from domestic and communal violence and/or abuse.
The organization operates under four categories:
The H.O.M.E. Teen Youth Center will hold its annual summer program in June 2022, ending with a Back to School concert on July 24. Inclusive with this upcoming event, the program will host a Diversity Awareness Social in April, a Peer Pressure Prevention Social in May, a College & Job Fair in August, and an Education Awareness Virtual Social in September. During September, the organization also hosts the "A Piece of My Heart" Charity Banquet & Auction. Not only can guests bid on artwork that high school students submitted starting in May, but the students have a chance to win a scholarship from the bids.
The organization recently held a workshop to teach the fundamentals of stock trading, forex, cryptocurrencies, investing, and capital solutions. It also held a benefit gala honoring community leaders First Lady Delois J. Braggs – President of the Awareness Center International; Rev. Hezekiah D. Stewart, founder of the Watershed – the world’s first social hospital; and Rev. Benny Johnson – community leader and activist. In addition, the gala featured gospel artists Jessica Reedy, Tiffanie “TuTu” Agee, Roosevelt Harris, and the gospel group, Revived of Little Rock. The event was hosted by Sonta Jean “The K.O.K.Y. Queen” of 102.1 FM, and Rev. Fred Harris of the Fred Harris & the Morning Brew on REJOICE 105.5 FM.
To find more information about the H.O.M.E. Teen Youth Center, visit www.TheHTYC.com. You can also stay connected on Facebook - @TheHouseOfMusicAndEntertainment. To contact the founder, email her at thehtyc@outlook.com. You make a donation and contribution to the organization via Paypal.me/TheHTYC, CashApp: $TheHTYC, or by US Mail at P.O BOX 190092, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72209.
- Fine Arts & Education - explores the passion and purpose through expressive arts programs and curricula
- Therapy & Recovery - utilize specific therapeutic rehabilitation and restoration programs for teens
- Life Skills & Mentorship - develop leadership and self-determination through signature mentoring programs and opportunities
- Career Development - discover and develop skills to sustain a career in the entertainment arts
The H.O.M.E. Teen Youth Center will hold its annual summer program in June 2022, ending with a Back to School concert on July 24. Inclusive with this upcoming event, the program will host a Diversity Awareness Social in April, a Peer Pressure Prevention Social in May, a College & Job Fair in August, and an Education Awareness Virtual Social in September. During September, the organization also hosts the "A Piece of My Heart" Charity Banquet & Auction. Not only can guests bid on artwork that high school students submitted starting in May, but the students have a chance to win a scholarship from the bids.
The organization recently held a workshop to teach the fundamentals of stock trading, forex, cryptocurrencies, investing, and capital solutions. It also held a benefit gala honoring community leaders First Lady Delois J. Braggs – President of the Awareness Center International; Rev. Hezekiah D. Stewart, founder of the Watershed – the world’s first social hospital; and Rev. Benny Johnson – community leader and activist. In addition, the gala featured gospel artists Jessica Reedy, Tiffanie “TuTu” Agee, Roosevelt Harris, and the gospel group, Revived of Little Rock. The event was hosted by Sonta Jean “The K.O.K.Y. Queen” of 102.1 FM, and Rev. Fred Harris of the Fred Harris & the Morning Brew on REJOICE 105.5 FM.
To find more information about the H.O.M.E. Teen Youth Center, visit www.TheHTYC.com. You can also stay connected on Facebook - @TheHouseOfMusicAndEntertainment. To contact the founder, email her at thehtyc@outlook.com. You make a donation and contribution to the organization via Paypal.me/TheHTYC, CashApp: $TheHTYC, or by US Mail at P.O BOX 190092, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72209.
