EXPRESSING ART IS HEALING TO YOUTH AND COMMUNITY

My Bio-My name Is Johnson Atis and I grew up in the rough streets of Miami Florida with a Family of Ten, which are 8 brothers and 2 sisters. Fathered by Alphonso Atis and Mothered by Amelitha Vilfranc. Although my Parents separated at my Early Age of 7 years old, we had to stay with Mom, and dad was still able to communicate with us and pick us up on the weekends or sometimes weekdays with me and a few of my brothers, and my 2 sisters would usually be doing hair with mom, homework or coming up with creative ways to design clothing. My father always had great work ethic! Even at the woodshop, where dad created all of his wood projects such as cabinets, bedroom sets, living room and dining room furniture, he would always set the tone so that we all can get to work right away. He never waisted time, and would allow us to play with other children near the shop. He made it clear that we were not the same as the other children because we were working and picking up a trade at the same time. Through my young years from 3 years old to 25 year of age, me and my brothers enjoyed working with Dad, because he taught us a few things about what It takes to be a Man. I wouldn’t have realized how much that time was valued till 2015. My Father was a certified carpenter/cabinet maker. He taught us everything that we would need to know about cabinet making specifically. All of us started off with sanding wood, and using 3 or sometimes 4 different grid sheets to sand the wood down. Dad was our first coach, he made sure that we always knew what we were doing and what level grid paper was an appropriate use for the furniture that we were sanding down at the time, which was very important, and if there were any mistake that we made, which were very rare, dad would get upset and we did not want to see dad angry, so we were very careful as we got older. As time went by, from Elementary, middle and high school, I was still working with dad and my other siblings had their own plans and endeavors going on. One of my older brothers were always getting into a whole lot of trouble due to the wrong crowds of friends. Throughout the years, my last 3 years of high School, I had a privilege of having a woodshop professor name “CAP” at Miami Central Senior High School. Although “CAP” was teaching the students about woodshop, I was already ahead of the game because of my past knowledge and expertise. As “CAP” was instructing the class, he realized that I could be his assistant in helping the students to understand what was happening in class and I made myself available for 1 on 1 help or group help. After 1 ½ years of graduating High School, I have made a very tough decision for me my Family. Due to the increase of violence In the Miami area, I convince my Mother to allow me to move to another city which is not to far from Miami called Tampa Florida. Very peaceful place and I strongly recommend for anyone who is looking for a fresh start, Tampa was the place to be. Through my Journey in Tampa, I ran into my passion again, which was cabinet making. After enrolling for this class at a trade School called Erwin Technical Center, I was so excited and I remember calling my Parents to share the big news, they weren’t quite excited as I was, but they were more like “do something with it”.  I graduated 2 years later and was ready to start my business, which I thought I was. I was only 21 years old, but I didn’t have any capital what so ever, so I began working with a cabinet company called custom cabinets by rose. Great cabinet company, and during my Interview, with the owner Mr. Fletcher.  I found out that and when I graduated because After my parents kept me busy and out of trouble and always made sure that we were amongst good spirited people.   As I write this letter, I finally understood why Mom and Dad were so hard on us and kept us Involved in Different Programs. Singing in the Church Choir was a very special talent that we all shared together as a Family and even till this very Day, we can Still sing a song Together. . Although both of my Parents Weren't Married, they both had a Common Goal in raising us to be Amazing Kids, which we all are lol! In our own unique way. Mom and Dad wanted to make sure that we were Involved in the right things such as Church Involvement every Sundays and Wednesdays, or Summer Camps which was extremely Fun, with Volunteers Traveling All around The World to Empower and Inspire us with in our Communities with Arts and Crafts, From Balloon Painting, Wood painting, Face painting and even wood staining. Growing up, Marsha and Johnson were very close and shared great Ideas together and Enjoyed teaching people What We Already knew! And if I could rewind time, I would keep everything the same because those were memorable moments that were very rich to me. My Ultimate Goal Now Is to recreate my Past, The Past that brought me such Great Joy and Harmony for The Kids of Our Future.