CAP Trade Skills Program
CAP Trade Skills Program
- Sponsoring Organization: Mount Tabor School of the Liberal Arts
- City/State: Kansas City, Mo.
- Grant Program: Emerging Leader Grants
- Grant Amount: $15,000
Ben Gipson has been an educator and program coordinator at Mount Tabor School in Kansas City, Mo., for three years and has been working with youth programming for 10+ years. With a background in many fields, Gipson seeks to help students find their path spiritually and vocationally just as others did for him. Over the past two years, he has been developing a Common Arts program for the school to grow well-rounded students through faith, trade skills, and community participation. Gipson holds degrees from Central Baptist College, Conway, Ark., and University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Ark.
Project Summary:
One of the most challenging aspects of finding a first job for anyone is a lack of experience. For students from low-income communities, this is even harder. In 2023, Mt. Tabor School of the Liberal Arts enriched its classical Christian education programming by initiating a Common Arts Program (CAP). This program provides school credits for courses that equip students with life skills (finance, computer use, arts and crafts, home economics, health and wellness) and trade skills (urban farming, coffee roasting business, auto mechanics, woodworking, and stone masonry). Through CAP, students gain hands-on experience and develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, making securing a job or starting their own business easier. Trained volunteers from the community teach courses twice a week.
