Dominick came
To Reach
Savannah says it’s her
‘Safe Haven’
Alison H. is back from
Two years ago
Youth
Are happy to be with their mentors
A God talk with Monster—thought he’d come to Empty Bowls
Leroy
says he wants to do something for the kids
Kri
finds a niche’ mentoring
Imoni at OCS (Leroy sponsored)
Shyla and Jamine
do clay class (Leroy sponsored)
O’learys
visit Reach and offer
To find supplies
Interested volunteers are calling,
They’re stopping by
Rory is filling
The cleaning and ‘assistant’ gap
Dan messes with (in a good way)
The new computer
He’s back with a usb port that makes better sense
Consumers E
Installs one free—programmable thermostat in the nick of time
Dominick is a joy
to know and watch
Savannah talks
about her beliefs
We got bowls made
Bill especially and
Liz DB and Lisa
And others get us close to the 200 goal
Luci
Wrapped up bowls… all 180
We (Reach)
Received enough digital cameras
Kathy and Deb
Are volunteering instructional time
Random people
Offer support in different ways
RCAH-MSU faculty
Come through for Reach youth
Afterschool sessions (Mon – Thu) are
Brim full
RCAH students
And Brenda have been great
Michael is
So patient and gentle with
Keethan
Allan, Jackie, Michelle, Liz,
And sometimes Becca volunteer for teen studio
RCAH
Is asking me to be a textile artist again
I’m so thankful
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
It Takes Patience
Sometimes you only see a child a couple times; sometimes a child keeps coming back to Reach—but then suddenly disappears and you wonder if you’ll ever see them again. It’s hard to know if you’ve made any difference in the lives of these children and you wonder if what you are trying to do really matters. It’s nice to see “results”… to sow the seed, cultivate and hopefully “reap the harvest”. Though I am impatient to see the harvest, it isn’t a guarantee and so I have to patiently continue sowing the seed and cultivating the growth as best I can.
I came home today to a message on the phone from a girl who started coming to Reach over 4 years ago. I lost track of her for the last year or so. She was one of those students who makes you feel like its all worth it. She came from the neighborhood, just across Washington Ave. It took a long time before I actually met her mom. After Patience had been coming to our different programming—Creative Connections and then on scholarship to the Open Clay Studio for about a year, I read in the paper that her dad (she did not live with him) was involved in a conflict and was fatally shot. It was good that Patience continued to come and be involved. But then she moved and we lost track of her.
That’s why it was so nice to get a phone call from her. And she was excited to tell me that she was really doing well with pottery making, thanks to Reach. She had been living in St Johns and had taken pottery at her school. She was also excited to tell me that she was back in Lansing, so wants to try to get over to Reach again. I can’t believe she starts high school this fall.
Then it’s a great blessing to consider the people who have been impacted by their time at Reach. Perhaps they might look back one day (like Patience did with me on the phone tonight) and recognize that something changed for the better for them by being part of Reach. There are others too. Laurie is now producing beautiful ceramics on her own. She learned at Reach. Kri has seen growth in her artistic capabilities too. She started coming to Open Clay and has been since taken under the wing of our “clay people” to be mentored for her high school AP Art portfolio. They have attested to Kri’s artistic transformation since coming to Reach.
Reach is 5 ½ years old now. Once in a while I get a window into how a life has been positively impacted, but one thing’s for sure—it takes patience.
I came home today to a message on the phone from a girl who started coming to Reach over 4 years ago. I lost track of her for the last year or so. She was one of those students who makes you feel like its all worth it. She came from the neighborhood, just across Washington Ave. It took a long time before I actually met her mom. After Patience had been coming to our different programming—Creative Connections and then on scholarship to the Open Clay Studio for about a year, I read in the paper that her dad (she did not live with him) was involved in a conflict and was fatally shot. It was good that Patience continued to come and be involved. But then she moved and we lost track of her.
That’s why it was so nice to get a phone call from her. And she was excited to tell me that she was really doing well with pottery making, thanks to Reach. She had been living in St Johns and had taken pottery at her school. She was also excited to tell me that she was back in Lansing, so wants to try to get over to Reach again. I can’t believe she starts high school this fall.
Then it’s a great blessing to consider the people who have been impacted by their time at Reach. Perhaps they might look back one day (like Patience did with me on the phone tonight) and recognize that something changed for the better for them by being part of Reach. There are others too. Laurie is now producing beautiful ceramics on her own. She learned at Reach. Kri has seen growth in her artistic capabilities too. She started coming to Open Clay and has been since taken under the wing of our “clay people” to be mentored for her high school AP Art portfolio. They have attested to Kri’s artistic transformation since coming to Reach.
Reach is 5 ½ years old now. Once in a while I get a window into how a life has been positively impacted, but one thing’s for sure—it takes patience.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Treasures
“Put up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
It was a difficult week. It started with having to finally ask 3 of our Creative Connections students to take a 3 week “break” from coming, due to escalating behavior difficulties. It ended with Reach’s good digital camera coming up missing (just within 30 minutes after it had been set down). In between was a DVD that Anthony brought in to Teen Studio coming up missing, and then the furnace and the internet malfunctioning at the same time. The furnace and the internet, thankfully, got taken care of pretty quick. But the camera and the DVD are still missing; Jessica and I are still sad that 3 children are missing out on Reach for 3 weeks.
I have a week like that and the motivation goes down fast. But when I consider the “treasures” that we have at Reach…
…Like the number of volunteers who have applied to be part of what we do. That blows me (and my sad mood) away. I find myself wondering how I ever managed without this many great volunteers!
…Like Savannah (Teen Studio participant) who approaches Jessica and I with the words: “what else do you have going on here at Reach, because I really want to spend more time here”. She is now also volunteering for our Creative Connections program to help mentor younger children, and planning to come to the Open Clay Studio.
…Like the dad of a teenager who lives nearby and had to stop in to find out what Reach was all about because he noticed how happy people seemed coming and going from here and wants to get his child involved.
…Like the time spent showing youth how to make stuff I love to make and having them get excited and curious.
…Like Jessica, Reach’s Outreach Coordinator, who comes to Reach thanks to the Americorp*VISTA program, and who does so much to support and assist with keeping Reach going.
People and relationships. All of this and more has been given to Reach and no thieves can take that away!
It was a difficult week. It started with having to finally ask 3 of our Creative Connections students to take a 3 week “break” from coming, due to escalating behavior difficulties. It ended with Reach’s good digital camera coming up missing (just within 30 minutes after it had been set down). In between was a DVD that Anthony brought in to Teen Studio coming up missing, and then the furnace and the internet malfunctioning at the same time. The furnace and the internet, thankfully, got taken care of pretty quick. But the camera and the DVD are still missing; Jessica and I are still sad that 3 children are missing out on Reach for 3 weeks.
I have a week like that and the motivation goes down fast. But when I consider the “treasures” that we have at Reach…
…Like the number of volunteers who have applied to be part of what we do. That blows me (and my sad mood) away. I find myself wondering how I ever managed without this many great volunteers!
…Like Savannah (Teen Studio participant) who approaches Jessica and I with the words: “what else do you have going on here at Reach, because I really want to spend more time here”. She is now also volunteering for our Creative Connections program to help mentor younger children, and planning to come to the Open Clay Studio.
…Like the dad of a teenager who lives nearby and had to stop in to find out what Reach was all about because he noticed how happy people seemed coming and going from here and wants to get his child involved.
…Like the time spent showing youth how to make stuff I love to make and having them get excited and curious.
…Like Jessica, Reach’s Outreach Coordinator, who comes to Reach thanks to the Americorp*VISTA program, and who does so much to support and assist with keeping Reach going.
People and relationships. All of this and more has been given to Reach and no thieves can take that away!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
“Those Who Plan Peace”
“Those who plan peace have joy” -From Proverbs 12. This proverb stood out to me this morning. I thought about several of the children in our Creative Connections program who have a tendency toward aggression. “Planning peace” is the farthest thing from their minds. Their prevailing mood at Reach (and I suspect in school as well) is certainly not one of joy. Except when they are engaged in an art project, or getting positive responses or comments from a mentor. It’s always a challenge to figure out just HOW to engage these disruptive, aggressive kids whose angry demeanor influences and affects the whole group. (#1 Issue for classroom teachers too?). The question always comes up, do we “expel” them from Reach… at least for a few weeks. How do we balance grace and mercy, with boundaries and expectations (and a more positive atmosphere for the other children). At Reach (because it’s not a mandatory program) we have the prerogative to tell a child “sorry, you are not welcome here any more”. Or do we?
Some of these children, while very difficult to “manage”, are just the ones who need to be at Reach (or other similar programs). They are the ones who will most likely benefit the greatest from positive, one-on-one attention given by our mentor volunteers. But sometimes it’s just plain easier to give up on them. The same way that probably many other authority figures in their lives have given up on them. Their lives are not surrounded by peace-planners. They may be taught by example that the way to solve problems is not to “plan peace” but to get back at the other. The joy levels in their lives are likely quite low.
We have an evaluation form at Reach that we use called “Measuring Joy”. It gives volunteers and staff a chance to document positive occasions they witness during and about the Creative Connections (after school) activities with children. Children need to see their teachers, parents, and other mentor figures as peace-planners. Just how does one plan peace? Starting point: my own actions determine my joy levels and most likely impact the joy levels of those around me. I make choices which promote peace or work against it. New Year’s Resolution: a) Be a better peace-planner b) model and teach children and others how to “plan peace” so that more joy will be measured!
May your year 2009 be marked by high levels of JOY!!
Peace to you and yours.
Some of these children, while very difficult to “manage”, are just the ones who need to be at Reach (or other similar programs). They are the ones who will most likely benefit the greatest from positive, one-on-one attention given by our mentor volunteers. But sometimes it’s just plain easier to give up on them. The same way that probably many other authority figures in their lives have given up on them. Their lives are not surrounded by peace-planners. They may be taught by example that the way to solve problems is not to “plan peace” but to get back at the other. The joy levels in their lives are likely quite low.
We have an evaluation form at Reach that we use called “Measuring Joy”. It gives volunteers and staff a chance to document positive occasions they witness during and about the Creative Connections (after school) activities with children. Children need to see their teachers, parents, and other mentor figures as peace-planners. Just how does one plan peace? Starting point: my own actions determine my joy levels and most likely impact the joy levels of those around me. I make choices which promote peace or work against it. New Year’s Resolution: a) Be a better peace-planner b) model and teach children and others how to “plan peace” so that more joy will be measured!
May your year 2009 be marked by high levels of JOY!!
Peace to you and yours.
“We’re Not Going Away”
She came in the door and headed straight for the sign-in log (hurrah, routine pays off!) Jasmine (volunteer) was supervising the sign-in process; I was sitting right next to the sign-in location. Jasmine and I strained to hear her say something under her breath. It’s unusual to even hear her say anything. Jasmine and I looked at each other with a question mark and then turned to this weekly participant in our after school program to ask her to repeat herself: “I don’t want to leave Reach” were her whispered words. Again Jasmine and I looked questioningly at each other… what did she mean? Jasmine asked her. The 8 year old’s reply came as just a slightly louder whisper, “today is the last day of Reach, and I don’t want it to end.” Tears looked like they were about to roll out of her eyes. Jasmine leaned down closer… “oh but (name withheld), this is only the last day of THIS year. Reach will still be here after you come back to school in January and you can come back for Creative Connections!” The little girl’s face lit up with this assurance and she happily sat at the table, ready for the day’s activity.
Which brings me to that day’s activity. Caroling in the Reach neighborhood. The weeks before we made sure parents and kids knew we were going to be walking around the neighborhood on this last week of Fall 2008 Creative Connections, and to make sure they dressed warmly. (I scraped together all the extra hats, scarves and mittens I could find just in case.) Jessica and I had made little packages of cookies, ready to fill the bags being decorated by the children and finished off with a card the kids also made wishing the neighbors “Happy Holidays from Reach Studio”.
It was cold, but the children were excited to take their “gifts” to the neighbors. Each child had a turn knocking on a door, and when opened, handed the package proudly to the neighbor. Then we broke out in a couple of songs. What pure joy to watch the smiles on the neighbors faces (many of whom, I’m sure, we took by total surprise). In spite of the over zealous rambunctiousness of several of the boys threatening to dampen the spirit of the occasion, it was incredibly satisfying to see the children’s enthusiasm and joy as they would REACH out (smile face) beyond themselves to the neighbors. Sharing hot chocolate, cookies and stories when we got back to Reach was ever-so rewarding. Mission: Get to know Reach neighbors. Break down barriers. Help our neighbors know that Reach is part of their neighborhood, and here to serve them. I pray that this and many other opportunities that we are given through Reach get us closer to “mission accomplished”.
Which brings me to that day’s activity. Caroling in the Reach neighborhood. The weeks before we made sure parents and kids knew we were going to be walking around the neighborhood on this last week of Fall 2008 Creative Connections, and to make sure they dressed warmly. (I scraped together all the extra hats, scarves and mittens I could find just in case.) Jessica and I had made little packages of cookies, ready to fill the bags being decorated by the children and finished off with a card the kids also made wishing the neighbors “Happy Holidays from Reach Studio”.
It was cold, but the children were excited to take their “gifts” to the neighbors. Each child had a turn knocking on a door, and when opened, handed the package proudly to the neighbor. Then we broke out in a couple of songs. What pure joy to watch the smiles on the neighbors faces (many of whom, I’m sure, we took by total surprise). In spite of the over zealous rambunctiousness of several of the boys threatening to dampen the spirit of the occasion, it was incredibly satisfying to see the children’s enthusiasm and joy as they would REACH out (smile face) beyond themselves to the neighbors. Sharing hot chocolate, cookies and stories when we got back to Reach was ever-so rewarding. Mission: Get to know Reach neighbors. Break down barriers. Help our neighbors know that Reach is part of their neighborhood, and here to serve them. I pray that this and many other opportunities that we are given through Reach get us closer to “mission accomplished”.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Out of the Blue
Lately many good things have happened “out of the blue”. As Thanksgiving approaches, there are SO MANY out of the ordinary things to be thankful for in regards to operating Reach Studio.
A week ago, in one day, I received 2 special phone calls out of the blue. First one came from Jennifer at the Mid Michigan Creative Alliance. Her organization is having a social event on Dec. 11, (http://www.lansingadclub.com/events.php ) and the entrance fee is bringing an art supply donation. They learned about Reach and would like to donate all the art supplies they get to Reach. She asked for a list of supplies we needed! Second one was that evening. Francie Dittrich, a retired Lansing School District Art Specialist for whom I did quite a bit of subbing way-back-when, called me at home. She wondered if I was still doing the “art program” (meaning Reach) because she wanted to donate all of her proceeds from her current solo art show at Hannah Community Center to Reach.
A couple days later was the big “Empty Bowls” fundraiser which is not about raising funds for Reach… but about Reach using its assets to help raise $ for hunger relief, (~16 “potters” made 180 bowls out of 400 lbs of DONATED clay to raise over $4300 and attract an estimated 200 attendees). University Reformed Church (who hosts and helps sponsor the event) provided reimbursement for glaze and firing costs, and all the food. We don’t have any bowls left!
Then on Monday, rumors were out that there was a “story” in the newspaper about Reach. I didn’t know anything about it, let alone which newspaper! But yesterday we found what people were talking about in the “Opinion” section of Monday’s Lansing State Journal. Paula Clegg (haven’t seen her for some time, but she had been involved in getting a student from St. Vincent’s home involved with Reach a couple years ago), wrote a beautiful statement about Reach, completely unsolicited. Here it is:
“Art Center Praised”
In this economic climate, it is nice to know there is a program that offers many free artistic opportunities to children in the Lansing area. Reach Studio Art Center is a tax-exempt, non-profit neighborhood art center located in REO Town.
Alice Brinkman and her staff have worked hard to make programs available to children with no- or low-cost options. It is the kind of grass roots program that so often does not get the recognition it deserves.
Please take the time to look at its Web site at www.reachstudioart.org. It will get my donation dollars this year as an agency which truly utilizes all the money on behalf of the children and families it serves. Paula Clegg, DeWitt
Also on Monday, we got another call—out of the blue. Katherine Groll, a local attorney who is trying to raise funds for a non-profit medical center called with a proposal. She had seen Reach driving by and stopped to pick up some brochures. These led her to Reach’s website where she became very impressed and interested in what we do. She is orchestrating a fundraising event in February 2009 for the non-profit medical organization around a “heart” theme, She is soliciting heart art from various places, but wondered if she could provide canvases to our Creative Connections kids on which to paint hearts. She also wants to donate $5 for each painting to Reach Studio. The heart art will be auctioned at the event in February, providing Reach with some great PR and exposure. While it will be a challenge fitting this in by the end of this year’s Creative Connections, this seems like a great opportunity not only for our kids, but for Reach as a whole! Another example of organizations using their assets to help each other!
It is so great to witness the way people are finding out about Reach, and recognizing its benefit to the community. It’s easy to fall into wondering whether anyone out there knows or cares about Reach (slight exaggeration) when I get caught up in the day to day challenges of finding funding, finding participants and staffing, helping children grow their creativity, keeping the place cleaned and maintained, and paying bills. But clearly weeks like this serve as a graceful reminder to me that there is much for which to be thankful… and that good thoughts and thoughtful actions are really out there and may not be so “out of the blue” as one might think.
Happy Thanksgiving,
A week ago, in one day, I received 2 special phone calls out of the blue. First one came from Jennifer at the Mid Michigan Creative Alliance. Her organization is having a social event on Dec. 11, (http://www.lansingadclub.com/events.php ) and the entrance fee is bringing an art supply donation. They learned about Reach and would like to donate all the art supplies they get to Reach. She asked for a list of supplies we needed! Second one was that evening. Francie Dittrich, a retired Lansing School District Art Specialist for whom I did quite a bit of subbing way-back-when, called me at home. She wondered if I was still doing the “art program” (meaning Reach) because she wanted to donate all of her proceeds from her current solo art show at Hannah Community Center to Reach.
A couple days later was the big “Empty Bowls” fundraiser which is not about raising funds for Reach… but about Reach using its assets to help raise $ for hunger relief, (~16 “potters” made 180 bowls out of 400 lbs of DONATED clay to raise over $4300 and attract an estimated 200 attendees). University Reformed Church (who hosts and helps sponsor the event) provided reimbursement for glaze and firing costs, and all the food. We don’t have any bowls left!
Then on Monday, rumors were out that there was a “story” in the newspaper about Reach. I didn’t know anything about it, let alone which newspaper! But yesterday we found what people were talking about in the “Opinion” section of Monday’s Lansing State Journal. Paula Clegg (haven’t seen her for some time, but she had been involved in getting a student from St. Vincent’s home involved with Reach a couple years ago), wrote a beautiful statement about Reach, completely unsolicited. Here it is:
“Art Center Praised”
In this economic climate, it is nice to know there is a program that offers many free artistic opportunities to children in the Lansing area. Reach Studio Art Center is a tax-exempt, non-profit neighborhood art center located in REO Town.
Alice Brinkman and her staff have worked hard to make programs available to children with no- or low-cost options. It is the kind of grass roots program that so often does not get the recognition it deserves.
Please take the time to look at its Web site at www.reachstudioart.org. It will get my donation dollars this year as an agency which truly utilizes all the money on behalf of the children and families it serves. Paula Clegg, DeWitt
Also on Monday, we got another call—out of the blue. Katherine Groll, a local attorney who is trying to raise funds for a non-profit medical center called with a proposal. She had seen Reach driving by and stopped to pick up some brochures. These led her to Reach’s website where she became very impressed and interested in what we do. She is orchestrating a fundraising event in February 2009 for the non-profit medical organization around a “heart” theme, She is soliciting heart art from various places, but wondered if she could provide canvases to our Creative Connections kids on which to paint hearts. She also wants to donate $5 for each painting to Reach Studio. The heart art will be auctioned at the event in February, providing Reach with some great PR and exposure. While it will be a challenge fitting this in by the end of this year’s Creative Connections, this seems like a great opportunity not only for our kids, but for Reach as a whole! Another example of organizations using their assets to help each other!
It is so great to witness the way people are finding out about Reach, and recognizing its benefit to the community. It’s easy to fall into wondering whether anyone out there knows or cares about Reach (slight exaggeration) when I get caught up in the day to day challenges of finding funding, finding participants and staffing, helping children grow their creativity, keeping the place cleaned and maintained, and paying bills. But clearly weeks like this serve as a graceful reminder to me that there is much for which to be thankful… and that good thoughts and thoughtful actions are really out there and may not be so “out of the blue” as one might think.
Happy Thanksgiving,
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