Youth Healing Through Art
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
—Vincent Van Gogh
In December of 2018, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough provided support to allow us to offer a monthly drop-in group for youth in our community. We wanted to connect with young people who were experiencing poverty and housing instability so that we could work to prevent their homelessness with our early intervention and housing support programs, rather than waiting for them to arrive at the shelter. Not surprisingly, the youth have made this into something pretty incredible.
We started by offering dinner and a movie, along with self-care packages and haircuts. But, when two incredible community artists joined our initiative, the group transformed into an expressive arts group. Participants began to create art together while exploring issues that mattered to them though their creations.
For all involved in this process, it has been transformative and empowering. Youth have had the tools to express themselves, to process, to have a voice, and to find community. Far too often youth who have experienced homelessness feel isolated; this gives them a place to belong. The participants started to see their perspectives and voices coming through their art and many of the works created in these groups have been submitted for publication in The River Magazine.
Allowing youth to drop in, connect with positive adult role models, and try out something new has been incredible. It’s because of your support that youth who have not had these experiences before, can try something new, get the support they need and have a voice. Thank you.
If you are a local artist who would like to support this amazing initiative, we would love to hear from you. This is your chance to inspire Youth to reach their full potential and to add their voices to this incredible community. Email Brooke Erickson at berickson@yesshelter.ca to volunteer.
The YES Youth Drop-In program happens every 3rd Monday of the month, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at the Peterborough Public Library. It’s free, dinner is provided (along with free haircuts and hairstyling). Also included for free is the opportunity to experience transformative change through the discovery of our inner artist. Everyone has one.