Kitty Griffin, of Pittsburg, says she didn’t come from a perfect family but choir saved her life.

“My dad was a functional alcoholic, my mom a stay-at-home mom. A choir teacher in my middle school years discovered I could sing. He trained me from seventh through the 12th grade — providing a quality learning space for me to grow socially, academically and personally,” Griffin says. “The choir program saved me from the streets and drugs and more.”

After successfully raising her children, Griffin’s mission became saving others through performance, which is why she started Aspire Visual & Performing Arts Academy and serves as its program director. Headquartered in Pittsburg, it began in 2017 with 48 students from Contra Costa County’s underserved communities and serves youth from traumatic home lives or low-income families. More than 300 kids are enrolled in the academy today.

“Our academy has grown from 48 scholars (students) to approximately 307 scholars that are in performing art classes weekly. Our program participants live in Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood,” said Katrina Jefferson, Aspire’s marketing and promotion consultant.

Jefferson comes to the program with a background in modern, contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop dance and more. She says Aspire’s mission is to “inspire all children to become their absolute best in operating within their potential — educationally, socially and economically — striving to become a productive, positive citizen in their community and overall society.”

All classes are taught by credentialed master dance, choir and theater teachers from all over the Bay Area, starting with Aspire’s founder, Griffin. Griffin was formally trained as a vocalist in high school and at American River College in Sacramento and received a bachelor of arts degree in media communication studies from California State University, Sacramento.

“By accident, I was discovered by a Sacramento playwright, Delilah Rashell, of Sacramento, and was given the lead female role of the stage play ‘Somebody Oughta Tell God Thank You,’ where I toured and performed all of the major stages, from California to Seattle, New York, Detroit and more,” said Griffin, who added that the academy is important to her because she wants to help deserving kids.

“All of our programs are intentional — the goal is to help each individual child reach their true potential,” she said. “All of our instructors come to the table with not only a skill set to teach but also to inspire and motivate children to be their best in everything they bring to the stage.”

Jefferson, who has a bachelor of arts degree in dance performance and choreography from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, feels Aspire’s classes meet the needs of kids in this Contra Costa County.

“Contra Costa is an area that has very little opportunity for kids from low-income areas to experience quality educational programs in the performing arts that offer exposure to the theater,” Jefferson said. “Children from these types of communities really need the arts to assist in their development — offering opportunities for them to grow in the area of confidence, self-esteem, a hard work ethic, teamwork and coming together as youth to provide something positive for their community. In addition, the program provides a safe, structured space for kids to discover their highest potential.”

Aspire members also conduct four major productions a year, providing opportunities for youth to perform on stage at major Contra Costa theaters, including the Pittsburg Creative Arts Building, Pittsburg’s California Theatre and Antioch’s Nick Rodriguez Community Center Theater.

Their most recent show, “Joy — the Urban Nutcracker,” with 87 performers was held Dec. 10 at the Pittsburg Creative Arts Building. An urban take on the classic ‘Nutcracker’ ballet, Griffin wrote and produced it. For Kitty Griffin — who was born in Mobile, Alabama, and named after her grandmother, Kitty Odessa, raised in Sacramento and now lives in Pittsburg — serving underserved kids is a lifelong mission for her.

“When I was a child around age 10 or 11, I would gather the poor kids from my neighborhood and direct plays and talent shows,” recalled Griffin. “There was a little girl named Charmaine, who really needed help. Her mom was a prostitute and would allow me to bring little Charmaine to my home to feed her a meal, give her some clean clothes or whatever was needed.

“Luckily, my mom was on board with me caring for Charmaine when permitted. One day, when I went to pick up Charmaine, a neighbor informed me that the family abruptly moved. I was devastated, and since that day, I feel like I’m still looking for the Charmaines in life, providing them a safe place to learn and grow.”

For more information about Aspire or ways to volunteer, visit facebook.com/AspireYouthProgram.

Charleen Earley is a freelance writer and journalism professor at Foothill and Diablo Valley colleges. Reach her at charleenbearley@gmail.com or 925-383-3072.