Kyla Becker
The Broadside
Education holds the future, and the future is CADA|CASA
CADA|CASA is a community education organization aimed at connecting educators and students of all ages, as well as connecting cultures through educational programs. With support from the community and the PoetHouse, a collection of new art classes will be offered through the program this year.
Tymon Emch founded CADA|CASA (Spanish for ‘each house’) in an effort to redefine education as a lifelong process that comes from passionate members of the community. Emch has been working with children for over a decade, participating in after school programs, coaching and refereeing for soccer, math tutoring, and volunteering at the Bend Science Station.
Emch came up with the idea while spending six months living and working at a children’s home in Cusco, Peru. While teaching English and acting as director of extracurricular activities in Cusco, Emch found that there was a large gap between the children’s perception of education and its relation to their life. Through explorative learning, positivity, community awareness, and environmental consciousness, Emch started CADA|CASA to encourage its students to get passionate about what interests them.
The CADA|CASA prototype began with passionate college students and US volunteers coming to speak to Emch’s group of kids in Peru about what they do, and how education is involved. Upon returning to the U.S., Emch wished to bring this idea of transforming enthusiastic, inspired members of the community into educators.
After speaking with the PoetHouse art community, Emch found a venue and support staff to bring his idea to life in Bend. Currently, Bend CADA|CASA offers a variety of classes. This summer will see a big push of these classes at CADA|CADA, starting the week of June 14th. Registration for these classes begins June 4th and lasting until June 12th. CADA|CASA’s classes are hosted at PoetHouse but have also branched out to the Top Leaf Matte Bar and Bend Park & Recreation.
However, 49 percent of CADA|CASA students do not pay for classes simply because they cannot. It is important to Emch that CADA|CASA find sponsors to help with this situation. At CADA|CASA, two of every ten spots are reserved for scholarships to children who lack the financial means to enroll in classes. The level of interest in the program has surpassed its ability to internally fund these students.
The six-week classes cost between $60 and $80, which goes towards space usage, materials, and instructor costs. CADA|CASA asks for corporate or private sponsorships that can help pay for these classes but mentions that since they are not yet an official non-profit, donations are unfortunately not tax-deductible.
‘We are very grateful for anything that you or your company can donate to CADA | CASA,’ says the cadacasa.com website. ‘With your donation, we will include you as a donor in our newsletter and you will receive an invitation to CADA|CASA student art shows.’
CADA|CASA also has programs in Peru and a few in Portland, but Emch hopes to expand further into Portland, as well as into Salem, Eugene and a few other locations.
“I just love kids,” says Emch.
With big dreams for the little people, Emch’s ideas aim to revolutionize to the way we look at education. To get involved, contact CADA|CASA or visit their website at cadacasa.com
You may contact Kyla Becker at kyla.becker@hotmail.com
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