“Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow…”-Kurt Vonnegut
We here at Ottawa Innercity Ministries are going to be trying something a little different with our blog posts.
Ottawa Innercity Ministries’ Passion 4 Youth program (P4Y) focuses on working with those between the ages of 16-25 who are considered at-risk. The P4Y program’s goal is to create a supportive environment which nurtures creativity, strengthens self-esteem and empowers homeless and at-risk youth to put an end to the cycle of poverty and about our the Passion 4 Youth fine arts homelessness.If you haven’t already hear program, than let me give you a little back story.
Each Thursday we will be featuring stories and art work from our different participants. We hope these brief glimpses into the creative minds of the P4Y program will help our community better understand both street culture and the youth who are experiencing it.
Last Easter, the P4Y art group did a workshop on Ukrainian Egg. When Tara arrived that night she was quiet and looked melancholy. The staff and volunteers knew something was wrong but she was closed off and refused to talk to anyone. She listened as the workshop facilitator showed the youth how to decorate real eggs using wax and dye, barely speaking all night. At closing she presented her finished egg.
Art is a powerful thing. Sometimes it’s impossible to verbalize the inner pain and stress you are experiencing. When you are lost for words art can be a powerful tool.