June 29, 2016
Reaching out with words Around Town
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Studens excel at SkillsUSA
Around Town Students and tutors/instructors together at a YourWords class at Marygrove.
Photos by Sara Hardin
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Wentzville July 4th parade
Tutors and students participating in Your Words STL build bonds and bigger vocabularies By Sarah Hardin Each Wednesday in June a small group of young men ages 16-19 file through into the Drury Training Room at Marygrove in Florissant for their weekly class with YourWords STL. Each is paired with a volunteer tutor as Program Director Anna Guzon begins instruction from the front of the room, asking the boys to shout out examples of idioms. After enough ideas have been thrown around, the boys begin a free writing exercise under the guidance of their assigned tutor. When asked to share what they’ve come up with as the class comes to a close, it is clear that the room is filled with very bright and capable minds. “Our sessions at Marygrove are a highlight in my week because I enjoy teaching and I especially enjoy teaching creative writing. But more importantly, the young men at Marygrove are among those who have the greatest need for our kind of services,” said Guzon, who cofounded YourWords STL. “Unlike other classes I’ve taught, these students are profoundly appreciative of the attention we can give them, even if it’s just for 90 minutes per week. And although some are reluctant to participate in our workshops, every student eventually develops an enthusiasm for writing. Our work allows me to feel like I’m affecting the lives of those in need and contributing to society as a whole... I receive so much from the work that it often feels like a luxury.” YourWords STL is a non-profit tutoring organization that provides free
services to Marygrove, one of the largest therapeutic residential treatment programs in Missouri. Students who have participated in YourWords classes have experienced increased confidence in their writing ability, better grades in school and better vocabulary proficiency. “I walk around using the words that we use here in class. I use bigger words and my vocabulary is better,” said Marco Simmons, one of the students in this year’s YourWords class. “I can express things more easily, and it really helps to get my creativity going. It helps with my writing, with poems, and with drawing. I also came in third place in a Poetry Slam contest last year.” Marygrove has been providing children, teens and young adults with a safe and healing environment for over 165 years. Oftentimes, its residents have come from disruptive family situations and have been through failed placements at other residential facilities. Marygrove’s mission to provide quality mental health services to severely disturbed children, young adults and their families who are economically disadvantaged is only strengthened by the programs that YourWords STL has been able to offer. “The program has had a profound effect on our young people. It offers a unique opportunity for creative expression,” said Kathryn Feldt, Chief Development Officer at Marygrove. “Young people at Marygrove have had so much
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The entry sign for the Marygrove campus in Florissant.
chaos and disruption - and very few creative channels - in their lives, so it offers an important tool for personal growth. YourWords gives young people a way of finding and using their authentic voice to process their feelings and emotions, and to feel hope and confidence about their future.” The volunteer tutors working through See TUTOR on page 2
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