Bell Investment Advisors Awards First Annual Youth-in-the-Arts Grant

OAKLAND, CA--(Marketwire - Dec 13, 2012) - Bell Investment Advisors announced today that the firm has awarded its first annual Youth-in-the-Arts Grant of $5000 to the Cal Performances Program: Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp. The funds will directly support the AileyCamp's six-week summer dance program for a select group of at-risk and underserved youth ages 11-14 from local communities including Alameda, Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hayward, Oakland, Richmond and San Leandro.

AileyCamp (www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/community/aileycamp) is a nationally-acclaimed summer program that uses dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, creative expression, and critical thinking skills among middle school students in the East Bay. Conceived by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and run locally by former Ailey dancer and Executive Director David McCauley of Cal Performances in Berkeley, AileyCamp combines professional level dance training with personal development activities. The organization targets students with academic, social, or domestic difficulties, but also welcomes students not necessarily at risk who have had little opportunity to develop their artistic interests. 

"We are thrilled to receive this vote of confidence for our work. This is a program that truly changes the lives of its participants," said Mr. McCauley.

AileyCamp was chosen from a group of 34 local organizations applying for the first annual grant. The Bell Youth-in-the-Arts Grant program (www.bellinvest.com/about/community#grant) reflects the AileyCamp mission and Bell Investment Advisors' belief that the arts enrich the community and contribute to its vitality as well as being essential to a well-rounded education. In response to on-going cuts in public education arts programs, the firm has established this annual grant and encourages other local businesses to come forward to support similar programs and organizations that serve youth in the arts. Also, these organizations are encouraged to apply for the next annual Bell Youth-in-the-Arts Grant in 2013. 

"Historically, there has always been a close relationship between commerce and the arts, but many business people have forgotten that connection. Through our support of youth in the arts in our community, we hope to encourage other businesses to do the same. Please check the Community section of our website for a listing of all this year's deserving applicant organizations that could use your financial and volunteer support," said Bell Investment Advisors Founder/President Jim Bell, CFP^®.

Bell Investment Advisors (www.bellinvest.com) is a privately-held registered investment advisory firm in business for over 20 years. Jim Bell, CFP^®, President and Founder, and Bonnie Bell, Principal, and Director of Career/Life Coaching, are long-time supporters of several arts organizations in the San Francisco East Bay area, including the Oakland East Bay Symphony, the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir, Cazadero Music Camp, and Festival Opera in Walnut Creek.

Through Investment Management, Financial Planning, and Career/Life Coaching, Bell Investment Advisors helps people build momentum for a good life. The firm's main office is in downtown Oakland, California, and its satellite office is in Santa Rosa.