Our Beginning.....
No parent should ever have to experience the
death of a child. The pain and grief of such an experience can
be devastating and profound. Kathryn “Katie” Stauffer
was a National Merit Scholar, a concert pianist, a champion collegiate
swimmer, a pre-med student, and above all, an artist, who loved working
with the arts, and especially enjoyed working with children in the arts. In
March of 2003, 19 year-old Katie’s life was cut short in a tragic
car accident.
Katie’s mother, Linda, struggled with
severe depression after her death, and searched for a way to keep Katie
and her dream of making a difference in the world alive. Linda’s
twenty-eight years of experience as an art teacher, and Katie’s
love of the arts provided the inspiration for a much needed arts center
in our community. From the depths of this tragedy, the idea for
the Katie Stauffer Memorial Arts and Cultural Center was born.
At the Present....
The programs and classes we have been able to
offer to the people of Upper Bucks County have reflected our mission of
creating a safe and sober facility where youth can develop and grow personally
while expressing themselves artistically and developing strong community
values and social skills. The Center serves the Upper Bucks County area
of Pennsylvania, which includes the Quakertown, Palisades, and Pennridge
School Districts. We offer classes for people of all ages, beginning
with children’s classes for ages 4-9 years. Our programs are
available for all members of our community, and we use the Upper Buck County
YMCA’s income guidelines in subsidizing classes for low income families.
The Center has experienced phenomenal growth in the two years since we
first opened our doors, thanks to the help and support of our dedicated
volunteers and professional instructors.
Our Future........
Though the Center was born of extraordinary and
unfortunate circumstances, it has grown to represent a significant presence
in the community in a very short time. With the initial launch and
relocation completed, we stand at a crossroads in the Center’s development,
as we shift our focus from the start-up to the development of a permanent
asset and resource for our community.
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Katie
Stauffer