My heart was opened a bit more this week as Laura Baran and I took our Arts & Dreams empowering art workshop to incarcerated youth at Passages Academy in the Bronx. These are kids who made an unfortunate mistake and got caught and now they’re paying the price.
They made me think about the mistakes I’ve made in my life and how fortunate I was to not get caught. We’ve all been there. Did you ever think what your life would look like if you got busted doing what you weren’t supposed to? Would you want a break? A second chance? Not have your whole life judged by this mistake? What would you hope for?
I watched their faces transform as they got lost in thought about which positive affirmations to choose. And as they painted, the struggle in their faces, worn way too early in their young lives, began to dissipate. And I saw their innocence and their innate beauty and their need for love. And I wanted to hug them and take them all home with me.
Unfortunately I cannot show you their faces because we need to respect their anonymity. However, I can share their artwork with you and provide you a glimpse into their beautiful souls.
I’m sharing just a few here. For more photos and a description of the day’s events, please go to our website: Arts & Dreams.
I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank a few people: Nikki Walker and Zyambo Phillips who co-facilitated the workshops with us and made us the Dream Team! You guys were beyond amazing! Your words, gestures and kindness wrapped each of those kids in love.
And Anja Kennedy, our dear friend who is the librarian at Passages, and opened the door for us to enter a few years ago - I am in pure gratitude and awe. The love and respect that you bring to each student fills them with pride and self-love. You add such integrity to their lives. What a gift you are to them and to us.
Lastly I want to thank all of our Arts & Dreams donors. Without your generosity, we would not be able to do the work that we do. Thank you so very much!
Big Love,
PatriciaG
For more pics and information on the workshops and our organization, please visit our website: Arts & Dreams
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