Unity Circus Project

Friends, Fans, and Family,

Cornell Freeney here and I would like to invite you all to join my journey. Here is my back story that you may not know. I grew up in Uptown, a diverse, low-income, urban neighborhood in Chicago. The choices I had as a kid were to join the basketball team or join a gang. I was too small for either option. Academically, I was both failing and apathetic. I was on a fast track to nowhere good. 

At the age of 12, I stumbled upon and joined a youth circus called CircEsteem that changed my life. Shortly after joining, I found several positive role models and to my surprise, started excelling academically.  During my involvement at CircEsteem, I was supported emotionally and academically through both high school and college graduation. 

After graduating from university with a degree in elementary education, I first chose to satisfy my desire to perform by traveling around the world on cruise ships for two years doing gym wheel on ice. Later, I chose to accept a position with CircEsteem as Head Coach and Program Coordinator working with youth after school. I chose this path because of the impact afterschool programming had on my own life, and I believed, as a mentor and role model, I could have the biggest impact on youth, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of education.

After dedicating eighteen years to the social circus in Chicago, I am ready to further pursue my dreams. This past summer, I chose to bring my passion and energy to underserved communities in Las Vegas, to carry out my life long dream of starting my own youth social circus. My social circus organization is called Unity Circus Project. I chose this name because I have witnessed the positive impact that can be had by bringing people together, creating a team, and building community. The program will be geared towards uplifting underserved youth in the Las Vegas area. 

The funds raised will be used to obtain circus equipment to start the program. Additional, funds will be used to create and distribute promotional materials publicizing that the Social Circus has come to town! 

Not only will your support in the creation of this project mean the world to me, but it will also aid in changing the trajectory of underprivileged youth in Las Vegas. Community and positive leadership are areas where we can improve the world today. Anything that you donate, even as little as a penny, will go towards using circus arts to bring youth together to create a positive community and inspire them to work hard and empower them to make wise choices toward future success. 

I cannot wait to show you all the community that we create!