Pillowcase dress
After almost two years doing foot-care at OIM’s Tuesday drop in, I recently switched to Monday evenings with the Passion 4 Youth Fine Arts Program. As difficult as it was to leave my Tuesday friends, I soon came to know the young people who attend art group Monday nights. Not only do I have the privilege to get to know these young men and women, but as volunteers, we are responsible for mentoring, encouraging, and helping them set goals in life. Being witness to such raw, original, artistic talent is awe inspiring. An added bonus for me is that I get my “baby fix” with two beautiful baby boys who come with their parents!
Batman mask
Since discovering a sewing machine, several young people have come forward with sewing ideas and designs of their own. The very first sewers were several of the young men who transformed long pants into board shorts. Now there is a line-up for the machine with more people, sewing projects such as rock collecting bags, coat alterations, little girls dresses, fur hats, baby clothes, etc.
The biggest project to date has been a leather Batman mask, which started out as a $5 leather skirt from Value Village. It was labour intensive but it was completed in time to be worn for Halloween. To work alongside these young people, is an experience I cherish. To see the smiles and sense their feeling of accomplishment in creating and completing these projects makes my heart smile so big it hurts.
I LOVE what I get to do with OIM 🙂 <3
– By Debby, Passion 4 Youth Fine Arts Program volunteer