The National Endowment for the Arts/Halle Final Report

Thanks to NEA in conjunction with The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation, 33 young lives from Littleton Elementary School experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on January 30-February 2, 2018 #9 of 18 Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.© “Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help students to: • Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams • Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication • Bridge Understanding • Discuss How Color Affects Us and Our Environment Senses • Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment • Turn Pain into Possibilities into Purpose.

The students are divided into groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations.

The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Response Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 12-14.

How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : Brave. Speak up and help others. Tell the bully to stop. Go for a job and follow your dreams. / Similarities. Help others accept. Confront the bully. Get to know people. / Brave. Participate. You’ll stand up for yourself and others. Push through obstacles. / Brave Asking questions. Standing up for yourself safely. Standing up. Stand up to your fears. / Brave, similarities, respect, honesty. Do homework. Stand up for someone. Respect others.

Creative Storytelling: Skills or Tools Learned: Responsibility. Do your work and keep track. Make sure to tell an adult. Keep track. Be responsible of everything. / Citizenship. Helping others in environment. Help others in need. Helping in community. / Trustworthy. People can trust you. Adults will trust you. You would be a good person. / Respect. So you don’t get in trouble. Respect one another. Be responsible to your boss and workers. / Responsibility. Respect. Turn in your work. Take the responsibility for others. Respect others.

Mirror work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are: I am amazing. / Inspiring, makes me feel confident. / Good. / I feel the same. / It makes me feel good about myself. / That makes me feel happy, also that makes me feel positive about myself. / What I love about myself is that I’m nice happy excited hopeful. / Weird. / Hopeful, proud, nervous. / Good and happy and it makes me feel comfortable in myself. / It makes me feel like I am ready to go throughout the day with confidence. / It makes me feel proud and happy of myself. / Love myself. / It makes me feel better who I am. / It made me feel good. / It makes me feel good and more confidence. / It makes me feel uncomfortable. I feel weird because I don’t really don’t talk to myself. / Real good. / It makes me feel stupid. / I like myself just the way I am. / I like myself the way I am. It made me feel star. / It makes me feel good for me. / I love myself just the way I am. I make myself happy. / It makes me feel confident and happy.